When you’re not feeling well, you often just want to curl up in a ball in the most comfortable place you can imagine so you can get better. At Three Rivers Hospital in Brewster, there’s an entire new suite of furniture to help with exactly that. It was the first time in more than 20 years the hospital has replaced the furniture in its rooms, also replacing hospital beds that were more than 40 years old.
The new furniture followed a vote from the community to lift the levy for the public hospital, and the new furniture arrived just before the New Year and was immediately put to use. The new beds and powered chairs have improved safety for patients and nurses alike, with the chairs offering greater mobility for patients without putting strain on nurses, and the beds including technology such anti-fall warning lights and sounds to help protect high-risk patients.
In addition to the new beds and powered chairs, the hospital also received two maternity beds, 21 patient chairs, 21 over-bed tables, 21 bedside stands, one recliner bed, one treatment recliner, one loveseat sleeper and four newborn bassinettes.
As the new furniture moved in, employees gave patient rooms a total makeover with fresh paint and new fire-retardant curtains. The response has been overwhelmingly positive from patients and families.
“This purchase was centered around the patient and really supports our mission of leading the innovation of safe and respectful patient care,” Three Rivers CFO Jennifer Munson says. “To be able to replace beds that are over 40 years old with new, more comfortable beds that have the technological capabilities to help us deliver safe patient care is a huge step in a positive direction.”
Hospital leaders are now working with officials from Okanogan County and the USDA to develop a funding program to complete the other goals outlined to voters, including replacing sections of the roof that pose potential hazards, updating the HVAC system to be in compliance with Department of Health regulations and moving the ER to an area of the hospital that lends itself better to patient care. (Tim Pfarr)
