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New pediatric unit replaces cramped with comfort
By JACKIE RIPLEY
Published June 22, 2007
A new pediatrics unit at Town & Country Hospital should cut back on overnight stays in the emergency room and make it easier on kids who need to be hospitalized. "Once the patient is on the floor they have a more comfortable place to sleep, and it's child-friendly so they can walk the hallways or go to the playroom, " said Dr. Carlos Cartaya, the unit's director. "The care is basically the same, just much more comfortable." Historically, children treated at Town & Country Hospital have been evaluated and cared for in the hospital's Emergency Care Center, or they've been treated on an outpatient basis. Now, thanks to a new 16-bed unit to serve children, they can be admitted. "We needed more bed space because places like St. Joseph's are continually full, " Cartaya said. "You have people waiting and children being admitted having to spend the night in the emergency room until beds become available." Town & Country's new unit provides private rooms for children ages 4 days to 17 years. Room service dining for parents also is part of the package. In addition, the new unit will provide rehabilitation and wound care. Cartaya, who served in a similar capacity at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, will spend his days at the hospital and consult with each child's pediatrician to help manage their care. He also is responsible for coordinating care for referring doctors and for supervising care through other hospital personnel, including nurses, respiratory therapists, rehabilitation therapists and dietitians. "We're also happy that Dr. Cartaya is fluent is Spanish, which will enhance communication with Spanish-speaking patients and their families, " said Heidi Wolf, the hospital's chief nursing officer. Cartaya graduated from the University of South Florida. He received his medical degree from Temple University and completed a residency in pediatrics at Miami Children's Hospital. Town & Country Hospital is a 201-bed, full-service acute-care community hospital at 6001 Webb Road. Jackie Ripley can be reached at ripley@sptimes.com or 813 269-5308.
[Last modified June 21, 2007, 08:22:05]
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