Scotland Health gives first look at phase II of the OR renovation

LAURINBURG — Innovation and transformation were on display Thursday as Scotland Health Care System welcomed officials for a first look at Phase II of the operating room renovation project at Scotland Memorial Hospital.

Attendees toured the newly renovated hospitalist suite, respiratory therapy area, bio-med department, pre-admission testing, pre- and post-operative surgical rooms, surgical services conference room, physician lounge and surgical waiting room. The OR renovation is part of the largest capital project Scotland Health has ever undertaken.

Reflecting on the hospital’s transformation, Bebe Holt, chief nursing officer for Scotland Health Care System, marveled at the progress.

“Five years ago we had a dream. We had a dream that we were a surgical services area that was state of the art … It is amazing as you walk through and see what has happened in Phase II,” Holt said.

The lobby, where the open house celebration was held, showcased one of the most striking renovations, designed to enhance patient comfort.

“Before we had five little chairs, maybe, and our families had to travel all the way to the end of the building to be comfortable, and now we have this beautiful lobby. We have private rooms for every patient that we serve. That is amazing and I’m not talking about curtains, I’m talking about walls … Private rooms that every room has a bathroom,” Holt said.

Guests got hands-on experience with the Da Vinci 5 surgical robot, which officials describe as “the future of medicine,” offering minimally invasive procedures that reduce recovery time.

Laurinburg City Councilmember Rosemary Rainer was one of several who tested the $3 million equipment herself, experimenting with items like pennies and rubber bands.

Dr. Brian Parks, already a seasoned general surgeon at Scotland Health, told guests of the expertise required to operate the robot.

“I underwent 60 hours of training to operate the robot,” Parks said.

Patrick Bassett, a clinical sales representative for Intuitive, explained the robot’s impact.

“What it’s aimed to do is aimed to do is decrease your length of stay at the hospital, chances for you coming back, getting you guys on your feet as fast as possible and staying on your feet,” Bassett said.

“It’s been able to take surgeries that have in the past required large incisions and now allowed us to minimize those incisions and operate all within the abdomen with little 8 mm incisions,” he added.

Laurinburg Mayor Jim Willis emphasized the community benefit of the renovations.

“This is an investment that represents more than bricks and mortar and advanced technology. It represents the commitment to providing the very best care right here at home,” Willis said.

Willis noted that families in the region will no longer be traveling far for the most advanced surgical options.

“They will find excellence right here with a team of world-class physicians, nurses and staff [with] skill, compassion and dedication to every patient they serve,” Willis said.

“Providing the renovations in the operating rooms shows that this hospital is not only keeping pace … but leading the way,” Willis said.

Scotland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tim Ivey praised the project for its regional impact.

“‘Closer care, better by far.’ I don’t know who came up with that, but I think that really, really hits on what’s going on here,” Ivey said.

Chris English, executive director of the Laurinburg-Scotland Area Chamber of Commerce, boasted the hospital’s growth.

“The progress that you’ve made, the expansions that you’ve done, the investments that you’ve committed here to Scotland County and our entire region, I mean it’s just amazing to see the growth that’s happening within this community,” English said.

Holt closed by highlighting the focus on patients and their families.

“We did this for one reason. We’re proud but we did this for the community. We did it for those we serve. Patients deserve this when they walk in the door. Our families deserve this when they’re sitting here waiting on their loved one,” Holt said.