The inpatient cancer unit at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is getting a much-needed makeover, thanks to continued community support from the Glennon Card. The single-patient rooms at the hospital soon will have their own private bathrooms, and sleeper sofas will be added to each room.
“When kids have cancer, parents and siblings often move in,” says Sandy Koller, executive director of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. “Being able to provide a healing environment is a high priority this year, and the Glennon Card is one of the things that’s going to help do that.”
Entering its fifth year, sales of the discount shopping card (which costs $50) go entirely to the hospital and allow community members to receive a 20 percent discount at more than 300 participating restaurants, stores and salons just in time for holiday shopping. Each year, the money is funneled toward a particular area. This year, making the inpatient cancer unit more comfortable for both patients and their families is top priority.
The hospital always has had single-patient rooms, but the bathrooms were shared between neighboring patients. “You can imagine the importance of privacy when these kids are very sick and not feeling well,” Koller says. “The impact on families will be huge.”
To add more comforts for the children, Cardinal Glennon also is expanding and updating the playroom for cancer patients and creating a parent lounge for adults needing to step away briefly to deal with business or make phone calls. Among the projects underwritten by the Glennon Card over the years:
telemedicine equipment
Expert physicians from Glennon can consult remotely on cases in rural areas with the hospital’s telemedicine equipment. Glennon Card purchases helped fund this video equipment, which allows doctors to work with children who would not otherwise have access to a specialist because they are at a hospital as far as 80 miles away. “The technology is so advanced, it’s as if the specialist is in the room with the patient and their local physician,” Koller says.
advanced procedural and surgical scopes
The money raised by Glennon Cards allows the hospital to upgrade to the highest technology, including advanced procedural and surgical scopes for patients undergoing general surgery, ear, nose and throat procedures, urological interventions, orthopedic surgeries or pulmonary procedures. The tools, which provide better views of infected areas, give doctors an in-depth look that improves accuracy during surgeries.
ultrasound machine
The latest quality in imaging can be credited to Glennon Card purchases. Doctors were able to replace older ultrasounds with GE Logiq E9 equipment that allows them to visualize the blood flow. It is the latest in imaging, and it’s portable. “Not having to transport a child across the hallway is so comforting, and it helps with wait time,” Koller says. “Family-centered care is so important to us, and helping keep kids as comfortable as possible. With the ultrasound machine, the doctors have the information they need to treat the patient at the highest level necessary.”
Pictured: Pediatric surgeons use a scope.
Photos courtesy of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
