Patient & Family Resource Center Debuts at Memorial Regional Hospital

Monday, August 04 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


(Hollywood, Fla.) — Business travelers have come to expect resource centers in hotels whenever they travel. Now, Memorial Regional Hospital is bringing the service-oriented concept to its “guests” with its new Patient & Family Resource Center. The center officially opens its doors with a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, August 5, at 3 p.m.

Located on the fifth floor of the hospital, the Patient and Family Resource Center features three computer work stations, photocopier, fax machine and printer as well as a family lounge area. Specially-trained, supportive volunteers will assist in connecting families with the information they need, including access to a “library” of health information pamphlets and resources such as support groups and community services as well as hotels and restaurants.

“Based on our personal experiences as family members and patients, we recognized the need for a ‘one-stop’ center within the hospital,” explained Jennifer Davis, Chairperson of the Memorial Regional Hospital Patient/Family Advisory Council. “The center will make it possible for us to stay in touch with others about our loved one’s condition, complete important business while in the hospital, make copies or send a fax.”

The Memorial Healthcare System has made a strong commitment to patient and family-centered care. According to Susan Montgomery, Director, Patient and Family-Centered Care Services, “Access to these resources means that overwhelmed family caregivers will have a few less things to worry about during a loved ones’ hospitalization. That allows all of us to concentrate on the process of healing.”

The new center will be staffed by volunteers, trained to do everything from help patients or family members sign on to the computer to access bookmarked health information websites or even help families access national websites where they create their own confidential webpage to keep family and friends updated about the patient’s condition.

The Memorial Foundation made it possible for the Patient and Family Advisory Council to equip the center and corporate donor John J. Kirlin, LLC, has made it possible to the Council to plan for the center’s future.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the Patient & Family Resource Center at Memorial Regional Hospital should contact Volunteer Services at Memorial Regional Hospital, 954-265-5940.

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