MARLTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital has completed construction on an important specialized inpatient pulmonary unit for children with complicated respiratory needs in the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas. The unique state-of-the-art unit optimizes safety and individualized care, and is staffed with nurses and respiratory therapists providing direct observation of patients who require 24/7 around-the-clock supervision. The dedicated four-bed patient unit is located in the hospital’s Marlton, New Jersey, campus and is set to start patient admissions on June 1, 2017.
Patients on ventilators have compromised airways and are candidates for inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. The pulmonary unit is designed to serve patients with complex respiratory needs such as lung disease resulting from extreme prematurity, tracheostomy and airway malformations, chronic respiratory failure due to spinal cord injury, congenital lung and rib cage abnormalities, muscular dystrophies, and lung transplantations. The high degree of pulmonary/medical instability in patients with complicated respiratory needs requires a more intense staffing arrangement and enhanced physical observation levels beyond the mechanical monitoring systems already in place.
“The goal of the unit is to allow children with severe respiratory issues to be cared for in a setting that keeps them safe but also allows them the interaction and stimulation they need to develop or recuperate from injury,” said Caitilin Papastamelos, M.D., Director of Respiratory Services at Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital. “The four-bed unit provides the high level of medical technology needed to support children of all ages transitioning from pediatric intensive care units, to their home or other long-term care options.”
The unit consists of an open environment that facilitates interpersonal interaction, while allowing privacy for patients and families when appropriate.
“Pulmonary rehab therapy often takes place in one of Weisman Children’s treatment areas, such as the gym, playroom or teen room. With the addition of this new unit, therapy sessions can now take place in the unit itself, with respiratory and nursing supervision. Families will still be encouraged to participate in training and therapy sessions,” said Shane Pelletier, Respiratory Therapist.
Like other patients at Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a family member of a patient in the pulmonary unit will still have the opportunity to stay overnight and on-site at the hospital with their loved one in the unit. The hospital can also make other arrangements with a partner hotel if needed.
About Weisman Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
Weisman Children's is a highly-acclaimed community-based pediatric specialty organization consisting of an acute rehabilitation hospital, outpatient rehabilitation centers and medical day care centers; focused solely on the needs of infants, children, teens and young adults in South Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. Weisman Children's is known for delivering an individualized and unique family-centered approach to patient care. With a holistic approach to treatment, we give our patients every opportunity to reach their fullest potential. By including family and caregivers, our extraordinary team of pediatric specialists form a community of support and care around each patient which is essential to their success. This approach reinforces our belief that anything is possible.
