by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
The Baptist Heart Hospital, the most recent addition to Baptist Health, revealed their state-of-the-art hospital rooms, wellness center and all of their cardiovascular resources in one building at a media tour Thursday.
The Heart Hospital opened it’s doors entirely in mid-July, but their 88 private patient rooms were available in mid-January. The rooms include Internet access, TVs, movies on demand, a view of the St. Johns River and a remote to control things such as the blinds on the windows. All of the art in the building is done by local artists.
The hospital includes day beds in the patients’ rooms, three operating rooms, two electrophysiology laboratories, two intensive care units, a congestive heart failure clinic, three cardiac catheterization laboratories and a fourth lab to be used as the hospital grows, and a fitness center that includes rehabilitation programs.
The helicopter pad, also at a new location in the front of the Heart Hospital, has been in use on a regular basis for the past month.
“They (electrophysiology laboratories) are electronically integrated, a lot of the equipment now comes from the ceiling instead of taking up room on the floor,” said Charles Cousar, attending surgeon.
The Wolfson Wellness Center for fitness is a medical and public exercise facility. There are physical therapy areas as well as regular gym areas with cardio machines, free weights and weight machines. Anyone can become a member.
Outside seating areas provide employees, patients and their guests a place to relax, eat a meal or just enjoy the river.
Paul Farrell, a cardiologist, said the Heart Hospital is a dedicated heart facility.