Phoebe Putney Hospital leaders hope to transform Phoebe North into a first class women's and children's hospital.
Wednesday the board of directors got the first look at detailed plans for the facility.
The idea of moving Phoebe's women's and children's services to Phoebe North was discussed in July, but now floor plans have been developed.
For the first time, the Phoebe Putney board of directors toured Phoebe North to see how it will transform into a women's and children's hospital. After gathering input during stakeholder's meetings, Vice President of Women's and Children's Services, Tracy Morgan helped develop floor plans and is looking at the best way to utilize current resources and space.
"Trying to blend efficiencies with what we have, along with new cutting edge technology for our patients," said Morgan.
Phoebe leaders say shifting women's and children's services from Phoebe to Phoebe North will benefit both campuses.
Dr. Stephen Wolinsky, a cardiologist and the President of the Medical Executive Committee said, "That frees up a lot of space over on the hospital main campus which allows us to expand facilities there. Which includes, possibly, not excluding critical care and cardiovascular care."
The Pediatric wing at Phoebe North has been sitting empty, along with other wings. But now hospital officials hope to bring new technology and techniques to the facility.
One of the proposed concepts is single room newborn intensive care units.
Morgan said, "Everyone remembers their childbirth experience so we want that to be one of a kind for them. We want it to be what our patients want. So we may have our concept of what we think they need, but we need to know from every facet of that, from the community, from the physicians to make sure they are able to have what they need to put forward this innovative practices that keep us on the forefront of medical technology."
Morgan says they will continue gathering input from the medical and nursing staff and the community to create a first class women's and children's hospital.
Whether any of this happens could be up to the U. S. Supreme Court. Phoebe is managing Phoebe North under a temporary lease agreement as the Federal Trade Commission appeals its purchase of the former Palmyra Medical Center to the nation's highest court.
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