Patients arriving for same-day surgery at Divine Providence Hospital's SurgiCenter are being treated to what hospital personnel view as a beautiful new environment designed to be calming and promote healing.
Among those contributing to the overall improvement of the design were Bethany J. McClain, of Jersey Shore, and Brooke Wright, of Cogan Station.
McClain and Wright, artists and sisters who formed a side business, Suite Dreams for Tots, said they spent about 86 hours painting animated and colorful murals inside the waiting room and patient rooms of the same day surgery pediatric unit.
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MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
Artists and sisters Bethany McClain, of Jersey Shore, left, and Brooke Wright, of Cogan Station, rest in front of one of the murals they painted in the waiting room to the Children’s Same Day Surgery Unit at Divine Providence Hospital. The two, who work as “Suite Dreams for Tots,” painted several murals in the waiting room and recovery rooms in the unit.
The murals depict animals in a variety of settings, including dream-like visions of pigs flying and lemurs leaping on a limb.
"We're moms," said McClain. "We know what little kids like."
The artists who used acrylic paints made each room spring to life. Their rich brush strokes brighten the room and children and families' moods.
"The children seem calmer with these beautiful pictures keeping their focus," said Deb Masser, a registered nurse and clinical supervisor at the hospital.
Joanie Delovich, a registered nurse and manager of operating services at the hospital, sure did appreciate their work.
She said the hospital is taking great strides to make the experience of same day surgery as pleasant as possible.
To ease the children's minds on their way to surgery, the hospital staff don't bring rolling chairs or beds, but rather wagons to transport the little ones to their appointments with doctors.
Among the typical operations performed there include removal of tonsils or adenoids, Delovich said.
The children's unit consists of four rooms and a waiting room. Other rooms of the hospital may be used should overflow conditions occur, Delovich said.
Overall, upgrades were funded through a $340,000 gift from the Divine Providence Hospital auxiliary.
Featuring a more contemporary feel and calming, neutral color schemes, patient services areas of the SurgiCenter have new furniture, flooring and flat screen televisions to provide additional comfort for patients, friends, and family members during their stay, according to hospital officials.
The purpose of the enhancements was to be patient-focused, according to Michelle Gaida, administrative director and director of nursing at the hospital.
The work includes a remodel to the second floor SurgiCenter patient rooms, hallways, waiting rooms and pediatric lounge, she said.
A new fourth waiting area adjacent to the operating room provides additional space and privacy for family members to wait for their loved ones or consult with a physician.
