Patient & Family Resource Center Debuts at Memorial Regional Hospital

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.

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.

Jay Piriz, Senior Vice President, East Operations/CEO, Memorial Regional Hospital, recently cut the ribbon on the new center. Assisting him is Jennifer Davis (left side), Chairperson of the hospital’s Patient/ Family Advisory Council, and Susan Montgomery (far right), Director, Patient and Family-Centered Care Services.

“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 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.