Neuroscience Reaches a Milestone at The Queen's Medical Center

Visitors are welcomed by this reception desk and water feature after crossing the new bridge which spans the Queen Emma Tower atrium.

The Queen's Neuroscience Institute (NSI) has taken a huge step in its evolution by embracing revolutionary concepts in hospital design. The NSI moves into a completely redesigned floor in the Queen Emma Tower's 5th floor and begins accepting patients on August 19, 2003.

Since its establishment in 1996, the NSI has grown from a neurointensive care unit to a center of excellence which includes neuroscience intermediate care, a dedicated medical-surgical floor, a Stroke Center, Epilepsy Center, a movement disorder telemedicine clinic and complete laboratory, imaging and neurosurgical capabilities. The NSI has expanded its reach to education, leading edge research and outreach to the community.

As before, patients with head and spinal cord injuries and strokes, and those who require neurosurgery, will be admitted to the NSI, but much has changed. The 40-bed Neuro rebirth includes considerable new capabilities:

Telemetry, or heart monitoring, will be provided on the floor for medical-surgical patients. Traditionally, patients with neurological conditions who required telemetry were grouped on one floor with other patients.

The Epilepsy Center has four patient rooms for extensive monitoring, helping to diagnose and treat patients who previously had to fly to the mainland.

A P.A.C.S. (Picture Archiving Communications System), allows images such as x-rays and MRIs to be viewed on high resolution monitors, increasing efficiency and eliminating films.

Private rooms and a comfortable environment are offered on QET 5. Other patient-oriented features include:

A family area with sleeper chair for visitors in each room. Rooms are also equipped with a data drop for Internet access.

A separate family lounge.

Patterns and colors in the floor used to direct visitors to their destinations.

An open design and extensive use of glass enhances the visibility of patients and the nursing unit.

Finally, a new bridge gives visitors direct access to the heart of the Neuro Unit. Patient privacy can be maintained during transport to other areas within QMC using entrances on either side of the unit, while the bridge handles busy visitor traffic.

On the Neuroscience Unit, dedicated staff have collaborated to use form and function to bring the future of health care to Hawaii's people.