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Hospital, Health-Care Centers Meet Residents' Demands

Posted on: Monday, 1 August 2005, 03:01 CDT

Already celebrated for its commitment to innovation and growth, Hudson Valley Hospital Center (HVHC) is not an institution to rest on its laurels. Earlier this year, HVHC announced its plans to build a $55 million, four-story patient tower that would be the only one of its kind in the Hudson Valley.

Featuring a unique design concept that facilitates 'personalized patient care, the tower will enlarge the hospital by 80 percent. It will include new operating rooms, an expanded emergency department and additional parking. The two-year construction project is targeted for completion in 2010.

"We're embarking on a major renovation project that will add 133,000 square feet to the facility," hospital President John C. Federspiel said. "In order to keep our status as a modern, state-of- the-art facility, we must plan now for the future."

HVHC is just one example of what Peekskill offers on the medical front. Health-care providers here are as myriad, vital and growthoriented as the city they serve. From the cuttingedge hospital to a thriving community health center, virtually every segment of the community is served.

"The health-care facilities in Peekskill, and particularly Hudson Valley Hospital, are doing a lot to promote growth in this area," said Westchester County Legislator George Oros, who represents Peekskill and Cortlandt. "An important aspect of a person's decision about where to live, whether it's young people with families or the elderly, is looking at places where there is well established and quality health care. And we have that."

VISION 2010

While not the biggest community hospital in Westchester, HVHC is among the most innovative and its sophisticated diagnostic equipment rivals that of the big teaching hospitals.

The four-story patient tower project will improve on the new boutique-hospital movement, which touts a private-room only philosophy. In addition to ensuring greater privacy, the single- room concept allows family members to spend the night, creating a supportive environment. At HVHC, all the new patient rooms in the tower will be private, but they will also be clustered around nursing stations in a way that guarantees prompt and attentive medical response. "The design we are looking at is the design of the hospital of the future," said Pat Morrow, vice president of marketing.

In addition, HVHC is also the only regional hospital with pain management whirlpools in each of its designer-decorated, private delivery rooms. In 2002, the Women's Pavilion was named the best place to give birth in the county by Westchester Magazine. And no other area hospital boasts its own fitness club. The Wellness Center opened last year at Cortlandt Town Center.

The hospital's Diagnostic Imaging Department was one of the first in the region to buy an open MRI as well as a CT scanner, used for virtual colonoscopies, full body scanning and cardiac scoring. The hospital's PET scanner offers high-level disease diagnosis.

The John M. Zarcone CardioPulmonary Rehabilitation Center provides individualized treatment for patients who have suffered heart attacks, angina and pulmonary disease or are recovering from heart surgery.

Physical therapy is available at the David and Harriet Singer Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center. And at the emergency room, the county's second busiest, non-life-threatening problems that need immediate care are treated through PromptCare.

Wondering how one hospital can, diagnose and treat such wideranging panoply of ills and potential ills? HVHV employs 350 physicians practicing 43 specialties. As the largest employer in the area, HVHC is a major source of employment and buyer of goods and services. In 2004, the hospital provided employment to 980 people and spent a total of $119,611,000 in payroll and supply purchases.

FOUR FOUNDING MOTHERS

Hudson River HealthCare in Peekskill is also working to meet market demands. One of a group of 12 community health centers in the Hudson Valley, the Peekskill center was the first to open its doors in 1975, when four women known as the founding mothers collaborated to boost the heath of Peekskill residents.

The mission today is much the same: to increase access and improve the health status of the community, particularly the underserved and vulnerable. In 2004, the center's 279 staff members attended to 13,485 patients; in the first quarter of this year, a record 6,475 people were seen.

In addition to basic primary care, the center offers prenatal and children's medical care and operates the Diabetes Collaborative, part of a national program to register and educate diabetics. The center also strives to meet the needs of the growing Hispanic community by adding bilingual staff and hosting special clinics.

But president and chief executive officer Anne Nolon is quick to emphasize that "we serve everyone - with and without insurance."

"Probably certain people wouldn't think they can't use us, but once they come with us, we usually don't lose them. They see how incredibly dedicated and well trained the staff is."

Like other local health-care providers, HRHC must also address the special needs of the growing senior population. Westchester County demographers estimate that by the year 2020, 25 percent of the population here will be 60 and over - some 230,000 people. "We really want to support the elderly who are already here as well as the growing elderly population," said Nolon, adding that the center plans to hire a geriatric specialist.

COMFORT AT HOME AND AWAY

In-home care services for seniors are also available. Comfort Keepers, a national franchise, provides affordable, in-home services for seniors able to live at home with some assistance. Dr. Joy Traille, who opened the local branch in 2003, employs 20 home- health aides. One of only two Comfort Keepers in the county, her coverage includes all of northern Westchester and Putnam County, home to 175,000 residents.

It's a growing industry, says Traille of home care: According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for home-health aides is rocketing as the population ages and hospitals and nursing- care agencies try to cut costs by sending patients home sooner.

Traille recruits her employees from home-health aide schools and provides additional training before assigning them to her clients. They provide meal preparation, housekeeping, grocery shopping, transportation, companionship and personal care.

For seniors ready to give up the burden of maintaining a home, Peekskill's Drum Hill Senior Living Community is an option not available elsewhere. Formerly a high school, and the site of a Revolutionary War raid, this 1909 Greek Revival beacon of gracious living occupies a prime perch overlooking the Hudson. Following meticulous renovations that preserved architectural features like the majestic central staircase, it opened in 2000.

While most of the 130 residents are from Westchester, there are many who returned here from Florida where they originally retired. In most cases their children brought them back because it was difficult to take care of them from afar.

Monthly rent includes two meals with waitress service, linen and housekeeping service and security. There are laundry rooms, a fitness room, library with computer terminals, beautician and barber, sun deck, recreation room, gift shop with toiletries and sundries and activities like yoga, Tai Chi and book clubs. All 120 apartments have full kitchens and bath and cable TV.

One of Drum Hills's greatest attractions is its affordability, Executive Director Linda Vrooman said. "It has been difficult for medium income seniors to find housing in Westchester. Drum Hill is one of the few that's affordable to them."

With that in mind, the Trinity organization has proposed building 48 additional senior-housing units at Drum Hill, which the Yonkers development company owns. While aimed at relatively independent residents, the company would again target average-income seniors. "There's a need," said Trinity's John B. Saraceno. "We're looking to provide affordable retirement homes for the average person who can't afford most places here. Otherwise, they'll leave Westchester."

Diane Webster moved her mother, Lillian Walcez, to Drum Hill in February from a neighboring retirement residence.

Walcez, 90, has found a friend in her next-door neighbor, modeled for an in-house Mary Kay makeup lesson and finally found people who can play Argentinean canasta. Walcez also attends exercise classes, craft workshops and health lectures and plays bingo. "She's so happy there I wish I'd done it sooner," said Webster. "She's as happy as a clam."

Copyright Westfair Communications Jun 13, 2005

Source: Fairfield County Business Journal

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