> Tiny patients, big dreams
continued
Because Scott & White serves an area with
a growing population, an increased birth
rate will also mean an increase in congenital
disease and birth defects. “In the past, we
have had to transfer those patients to other
hospitals. To support our growth, it’s vital
that we develop the facilities to serve those
infants and their families right here.
Philanthropy is instrumental in our doing
that,” says Mr. Blaylock.
The most extensive additions are planned
to serve the sickest children and their
families. Both the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit (NICU) and the Pediatric Intensive
Care Unit (PICU) have added new beds.
The NICU added eight beds in November
and plans for another 12 beds. Considering
the rapid population growth in Scott &
White’s service area, even that may not be
enough. The PICU recently expanded to
12 beds to better care for the growing
number of seriously ill children.
Another exciting development is on the
horizon. Dedicated pediatric operating
suites will be included in Scott & White’s
new Surgical Sciences Building, a key
fundraising priority in Phase II of the
Vision Campaign. Now in the planning
stage, each operating room will feature
specific equipment and will be designed
The Cool-Cap system was designed to prevent or reduce brain damage in newborns with oxygen
problems during birth. It works by keeping the head cool while the body is maintained at a slightly
below-normal temperature.
specifically for the needs of young patients.
Because of the additional planning and
equipment required, the operating rooms
cost about $3 million each.
New Ways to Save Young Lives
Caring for children in the best ways
possible means acquiring technologies
that help Scott & White’s pediatric
experts ensure the best possible outcome
for each patient. Scott & White is the
only facility in the area to offer two
Caring for children in the best ways possible
means acquiring technologies that help Scott
& White’s pediatric experts ensure the best
possible outcome for each patient.
22
Catalyst Summer 08
advanced treatments that can significantly
improve the outlook for babies born
with serious medical problems.
The Cool-Cap, which arrived at Scott &
White in April, is designed to minimize
brain damage in infants who experience
some form of asphyxiation, such as having
the umbilical cord wrapped around the
neck during delivery. Lack of oxygen causes
brain damage that can result in cerebral
palsy, mental retardation or even death.
About two of every 1,000 full-term babies
experience these complications. The CoolCap lowers the temperature of the brain to
92 degrees and saves up to 90 percent of
the cells that otherwise might be damaged.
To be effective, the Cool-Cap must be used
within six hours after birth and be left in
place for exactly 72 hours. What’s more,