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New Tomorrow Fund Clinic Opens at Hasbro Children's Hospital

by Joan Trombetti, Writer | May 27, 2009
New 4,700 square foot
Tomorrow Fund Clinic
now open
The newly renovated Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital has officially opened to young hematology and oncology patients. The clinic, which was formerly located in the lower level of Hasbro Children's Hospital, is now located on the first floor, near the main entrance.

The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital will serve as the site for the newly named Edwin N. Forman Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology Outpatient Program, which includes services for patients with cancer and hematologic diseases including hemostatic disorders, sickle cell disease, hemoglobinopathies, anemia, and platelet and white cell disorders.

The new 4,700 square foot clinic features seven new private exam rooms, a larger playroom and a more centralized nurses' station. There are also four new infusion rooms, which can be closed off with sliding doors for privacy, or opened up for socialization between patients who are receiving treatment. A positive pressure room has been added for patients who are severely immunocompromised or have recently had a bone marrow transplant. A new negative pressure room protects the other children from a patient with a potentially communicable disease.

Cindy Schwartz, MD, director of the clinic, said, "the new space is incredibly better planned and safer. We are able to have nurses observe patients getting infusions, chemotherapy and transfusions all at the same time from the centralized nurses' station. The clinic's modern design also allows staff to expedite treatment for patients. As they enter the clinic, patients will be able to check-in, have their vitals checked and then have their blood drawn immediately."

The clinic serves approximately 30 to 40 child and adolescent patients per day. Treatments and services provided include cancer diagnosis, treatment, management of side effects (pain, infection, nausea, low blood counts), long term survivor care, the evaluation and treatment of blood disorders, transfusion therapy and infusion therapies for children with a variety of chronic disorders. The larger space will allow the clinic to better care for patients, improve patient privacy and recreation, and reduce the risk of infection and other complications for children with compromised immune systems.

The playroom is an essential part of the clinic, as children who are receiving treatment often spend many hours at a time at the hospital. The larger playroom offers space for activities, art projects and playing with other children. Also, each of the 11 patient rooms has its own TV with DVD player.

"The Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital is a state-of-the-art space in which our experts can provide the highest quality care and treatments for hematology and oncology patients, while meeting increased patient demand, and children's and families' needs," said Robert Klein, MD, pediatrician-in-chief of Hasbro Children's Hospital.

The new clinic's entrance is adjacent to the zoo in the hospital lobby. The clinic occupies space above the pediatric emergency department. The former atrium space offers large windows and glass walls that provide a warm, sunlit environment. The clinic's art design complements the aquatic theme of Hasbro Children's Hospital, with a focus on beaches, water and sea life. The clay artwork tiles made by Rhode Island children that were inlaid when the hospital was built 15 years ago have been preserved and are part of the wall decor.