Last month we celebrated the dedication of the new Smith County Memorial Hospital and discussed the successful move to the new facility a few days later. We were able to accomplish this with no interruption in service, and have continued to provide high-quality service since that time. The success of the move, however, has been a little deceptive.
The new facility has many new systems and many new processes for staff to adjust to. Last month I wrote about how much I appreciate the efforts of many staff to prepare for and implement the move. That continues to be true. But change is hard, even when the result is an improvement, and many of our staff are feeling the impact of the change in their work routines. Everything from where they park to how they access parts of the building, clock in and out, where equipment and supplies are stored and how to access them quickly when they are needed. A new nurse call system, new security systems for building access and infant security, a completely new phone system (including new telephone extensions for every location in the building) and new patient flow processes are but a few of the changes that staff is still adapting to.
Any of you who have ever moved to a new home understand that things may get moved from one building to the new one quickly, but unpacking and putting away (including remembering which box a particular item was packed in), and then remembering where you put the item in a new building take much longer than the move itself.
I can’t say how long it will be until most staff feel like they are completely comfortable and familiar with everything in the new building but it will be awhile. They are working very hard to make the adjustments, and have done so with a great attitude overall. I hope that the public sees very little of this adjustment. If you do, I hope you will bear with our staff and try to understand that they are dealing with a lot of stress. They all care very much about the care they provide, and that shows in the end result.
In addition to patient care, one of the changes that have been front and center for our patients and staff since relocation to the new facility is major changes in food service. In order to help implement the new methods in food service, with a much greater emphasis on healthy eating, we hired a chef to direct our food service. Chef Steve Smith is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has many years of experience in the operation of restaurants around the world. Most recently, Steve managed an upscale restaurant in the Caribbean. In addition to his restaurant experience, Chef Steve is a registered dietitian.
I know that our plans to have food service available to the public in the future are not a secret. We hope to roll out those plans within the next month. Meanwhile, as the food service staff adjusts to a whole new way of cooking and serving food, patients, guests and staff have been reaping the benefits of a bountiful salad bar, fresh homemade soups and rolls every day and exceptional meals prepared by Chef Steve. The comments are little short of raves!
We’re working on a plan to open our new food service to the public. Stay tuned for details of this in the next month or so. We hope to be the genesis of a community-wide plan for eating healthy and enjoying the new style of food service.