HHH celebrates first patient in new Women’s Center while waiting for first baby to arrive.
William Salazar Orozco has the distinction of being the last baby to be born in the old OB unit at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
When the new HHH Women’s Center opened on Monday morning at 7:00 am, William and his mom Aracely Orozco Ibanez were moved to the new Maternal/Child unit and had the honor of being the center’s first patients.
Orozco was excited to be the first patient stating she was excited and a little nervous because she didn’t know what to expect. However, she was really surprised at how nice the room was and loved the shower in the bathroom, the toiletry kit with shampoo, conditioner, lotions, etc. and the complimentary robe and slippers. “It’s really nice to be in this new room. It’s more comfortable and private, it‘s almost like being at home” said Orozco.
Her compliments for the new center continued when she spoke of the amenities offered. “The new beds are way more comfortable and the sheets are really nice, like from a hotel and not a hospital. The new bassinets are beautiful and don’t look like they belong in a hospital either.” Orozco and her husband also got to enjoy the special gourmet dinner with champagne offered to new parents.
With all of the activities of moving day, Orozco said her room was very quiet when the door was closed and she didn’t notice any real commotion. “Overall it’s been a wonderful experience,” states Orozco. “The nurses are really nice and have been very supportive and Dr. Barra is great.”
With over 14,000 square feet of space, the new Maternal/Child department in the Women’s Center more than triples the size of the existing Obstetrical Unit.
The new Maternal/Child Department includes:
· 13 – 19’x19’ Private, spacious Birthing Suites with amenities to comfortably accommodate family members and visitors
· Hotel-like amenities for expectant/new moms and their “room in” newborns
· State-of-the-Art Operating Suite & Recovery Room for C-Sections
· Two Nurses Stations
· Newborn Nursery
· 2-story Atrium Lobby and waiting area
Hazel Hawkins is pleased to offer hotel-like amenities for new moms. Patients receive a deluxe terry cloth robe and slippers to keep, a personal hygiene toiletries kit, plush terry cloth towels in the bathroom, wall mounted hair dryers in all rooms, wi-fi access, complimentary coffee service, a special gourmet dinner, and free on-call massage services.
All newborns will “room in” with their mothers. A baby will only be in the nursery if they are in need of additional medical care or if Mom needs to take a shower or a nap and cannot give her full attention to the infant and there is no other family member available to keep an eye on the infant. Then, the nurses will keep the infant in the nursery where they can monitor them until Mom is available.
Two nurses stations will allow staff to be readily available and to monitor all activity on the unit. A newborn nursery is available if needed. This unit is designed to be the facility of choice for mother-baby care in the region.
As infant security is always of utmost importance to the Hospital. A Hugs® infant protection system has been installed to safeguard infants from the threat of abduction. Each infant wears a comfortable and unobtrusive Hugs tag attached by the means of a soft tamper-proof strap around his or her ankle. The computer console displays floor plans of the facility showing tag locations with monitored areas and doors indicated. Alarms are generated if the strap is cut or tampered with, if the infant is moved to an unauthorized zone, or if the tag’s signal is no longer detected.
Construction of the 42,000 square foot Women’s Center is majority funded by Measure L, a property bond passed with an overwhelming 77% approval rate by San Benito County voters in 2005. Fundraising continues to help finance equipment and other amenities for the Center. The second floor of the Center, slated for a spring 2014 opening, will house women’s diagnostic imaging services. “Like” the Hospital’s Facebook page to keep up-to-date on the latest information at Hazel Hawkins and the new Women’s Center.