$5 million hospice unit will offer state-of-art care
The Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, which serves veterans in the region, celebrated the addition of a new $5 million hospice unit on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Coatesville Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, which serves veterans in the region, celebrated the addition of a new $5 million hospice unit on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
“Some of the most important work we do at the VA happens in hospice,” said Acting Medical Center Director Jonathan R. Eckman. “This is where veterans – those who have defended our nation – come to spend their last days. Thanks to our dedicated VA health care professionals, the hospice care we provide is the gold standard.”
The new facility replaces the medical center’s currently operating hospice unit, which is located in the adjacent building. The $5 million project involved the construction of an 11,000-square-foot addition, a VA news release said.
The space contains a large, sunlit great room that is ideal for veterans and families to spend time together and a modern, home-like kitchen with usable appliances that will enable families to prepare their veteran’s favorite meal, the release said.
Eight private suites each contain a bedroom, family sitting and sleepover area, as well as a bathroom and porch. Every patient bed is adjustable for an individual patient’s comfort, and is equipped with an audible alert system if a patient is in danger of falling. Additionally, the bedroom is set up so that nurses can administer medication at the bed side, and every bedroom is equipped with a ceiling lift, which optimizes patient and staff safety during patient transfer. Additionally, nurses can customize a call system for each patient’s needs, the release said.
The new configuration gives the hospice health care team, including physicians, nurses, social worker, recreation therapist, and more, work space on the unit, which will enhance the veteran and family relationship with the care-givers. A designated family meeting area can also be used as a meditation room and chapel, and the facility offers accessible parking for visitors, the release said.
The hospice unit served 80 Veterans in 2013, 65 veterans in 2012, and 59 veterans in 2011. In 2013, the Coatesville VA, which is staffed by approximately 1,335 full-time workers, provided health care to 18,729 Veterans, and had 200,404 outpatient visits, the release said.
All veterans treated at the Coatesville VA Medical Center must be eligible for and enrolled in VA health care. Eligibility and enrollment professionals can be reached at 610-383-0265 or 610-383-0266. For more information, visit www.coatesville.va.gov or www.facebook.com/coatesvillevamc.
