New Floors Opens to Patients and Families
The Medical-Surgical and Oncology Units at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare have found a new home on the completely transformed Sixth Floor of MLMH. 
Deb Wilson, Director of the Medical- Surgical and Oncology Units, said the staff has settled in well and is enjoying the technologies the new floor offers. Patients and visitors are enjoying the privacy and beauty of the all-private, completely transformed patient rooms. "Visitors can't believe how lovely the unit looks," Wilson said. "It's almost like a different world."
Each room features a computer station that nurses use for charting on the electronic medical record system. Patients also have direct access to their nurses at all times through the Vocera® electronic call system. Nurses who are in another part of the unit can speak directly to their patients through communication badges worn by the nurses. Nurses also are alerted when patients get out of bed by themselves. In addition, nurses are using a new medication tracking system. Handheld scanners in each room are used to scan the medication labels and patient wristbands assuring that the proper medication is given at the proper time to the correct patient. MLMH's previous system required nurses to carry medication scanners from room to room. Patients and visitors also are enjoying the comfortable furniture and surroundings. Wilson said one of the first things she noticed is that the new floor is much quieter. "And patients are really enjoying the view through the new windows," Wilson said.