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HSC opens innovative kids' room

By: Eva Cohen

Posted: 11/10/2009 6:47 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

WINNIPEG - Friends of the Steen family, including some former Winnipeg Jets, were on hand Monday for the official opening of a new monitored room in the Children’s Hospital.
The room provides a more family-oriented environment for infants and children who are very sick and require constant monitoring. The large area can accommodate up to four young patients, and their parents can stay in the room with them.
The total cost of the project is $400,000 and the room will open its doors later this week.
The project was funded by the Amadeus Steen Foundation, named after the late son of former Jet captain Thomas Steen and his wife, Mona.
"Our anguish and sorrow began on the inside. But soon it transformed to the outside and became a way that we could help other children in so many ways," said Mona.
Thomas was unable to attend, but sent his best wishes. One of the Steen’s children, Alexander, was also not in attendance, but sent a video message. He is currently playing in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues.
"It’s amazing to see the kids and the spark in their eyes," said Alexander. "I really need to thank the NHL players and celebrity friends so much for donating their time, money and memorabilia. That is a huge reason this has gone as it has. As well, thank you to the entire city of Winnipeg."
Four members of the Jets Alumni -- Ab Mcdonald, Jim Benzelock, Jordy Douglas and Mike Ford -- took in the opening.
The new monitoring room is built as a holistic approach to healing. There are four beds for patients, and hide-a-bed couches for families. Each young patient will have 24-hour nurse care and digital monitoring.
A lot of attention was paid to the décor of the room, with the cupboard in the middle shaped like a tree with bark-like walls, the main desk as a leaf and all furnishings and walls painted in a natural theme with greens, browns and oranges.
Sheila Hutton, manager of patient care for the monitored room, said it will be a collaborative decision on which children are cared for in the new room.
"Physicians will make a clinical diagnosis for which children will come in here," said Hutton. "We anticipate certain symptoms the children will present, and on that it will be decided."
eva.cohen@freepress.mb.ca

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