Seattle's "Best Place to Have A Baby" (as voted by Seattle Child's readers) will soon become Seattle's most beautiful place to have a baby.

Northwest Hospital will begin a remodel of its Childbirth Center rooms this summer. The new design will provide a comfortable, welcoming, and appealing atmosphere for the women and families who deliver their babies at Northwest Hospital. Functional and operational efficiencies of the center have been optimized by the hospital's staff architects with extensive input from the Childbirth Center's staff and providers.

Northwest Hospital has selected two talented interior design firms to collaborate on the project interiors and public space: The Retail Group and Seeks Design Associates. The Retail Group, which has worked with companies such as Baskin-Robbins, Nike, and US West, will use their expertise in retail design to create public spaces and private rooms that are exceptionally attractive for women of child-bearing age. Seeks Design Associates are known for their outstanding talent for working with health care institutions. As the designer of the Northwest Outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Neuroscience Center, Seeks Design Associates have a long-standing and successful relationship with Northwest Hospital.

The first phase, which includes five rooms in the south wing, will be completed during the fall of 1999.

Northwest Hospital Wins Commuter Challenge Award Although Seattle ties for the dubious distinction of having the worst rush hour traffic congestion in the nation, Northwest Hospital has taken steps to help alleviate the problem in North Seattle. Northwest Hospital was recently selected as a 1998 Commuter Challenge Pacesetter by the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County for its popular programs aimed at reducing employee commuting costs and parking congestion. The award recognizes businesses that successfully motivate employees to take the bus, carpool, walk or bike to work, or telecommute. Northwest Hospital was also elected to receive the Diamond Award for its outstanding commitment to the state Commute Trip Reduction Law. Employees and patients are saving time, money, vehicle expenses, and environmental impacts by taking a special subsidized shuttle linking the hospital's campuses and neighborhood businesses. The hospital commuting program includes Metro shuttle service from the Northgate Transit Center. The shuttle's two buses run continuously from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with stops at the hospital, Northwest's Outpatient Medical Center, Four Freedoms Retirement Home, North Seattle Community College and the Northgate Transit Center.

Surgeons Navigate with "Fighter-Jet" Technology

Computer displays originally designed for use in military jets are now guiding Northwest Hospital surgeons as they remove brain lesions. The Surgical Microscope Navigator (SMN) superimposes a three-dimensional image of the lesion onto the patient's brain during surgery, guiding the surgeon to his or her target in the same way a pilot uses computer navigation to land a jet aircraft. By using the new SMN technology, a surgeon can significantly reduce the disturbance of healthy brain tissue and operate through a smaller incision.

Neurosurgeon Steve Klein, MD, is using the SMN at Northwest Hospital to treat many of his patients. "Pinpoint accuracy is especially important when performing surgery to the delicate tissue of the brain," Dr. Klein remarked. "This guided-imagery technology makes it possible to see both the diagnostic image from an MRI scan and the actual tissue at the same time. It's a very precise road map to our destination."

The surgeon operates while looking through an advanced surgical microscope, where he can see a real-time display of the MRI image and the affected area. The computer image acts as a road map, providing valuable information to the surgeon as he or she navigates through the brain to the target lesion. It provides accurate measurements, gives advance warning of contact with risk areas, and provides guidance along the planned surgical path. The SMN also makes it easier to determine the borders between diseased and healthy tissue as well. Please call 1-800-MED-INFO for more information.

New Skin Adhesive Offers Patients Greater Comfort

This summer, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dermabond, a liquid topical skin adhesive used to close cuts and incisions in some patients who would otherwise require sutures, staples or skin strips. This new adhesive offers patients greater comfort, faster skin closure, and successful cosmetic results.

"We have found that we are using Dermabond several times a day on wounds that would otherwise require suturing," said Dr. Greg Schroedl, Northwest Hospital emergency room physician. "Physicians and nurses in the emergency department, as well as patients are very satisfied with the results."

Dermabond adhesive was created for topical application to surgical incision sites, including punctures from minimally invasive surgeries, and simple, thoroughly cleansed trauma-induced lacerations. In addition to its effectiveness, Dermabond offers a shorter treatment time, easier application technique, and less patient pain that has been associated with sutures.

After it is applied in thin layers with a light brushing stroke, Dermabond adhesive reacts with moisture on the skin's surface to form a strong, flexible bond in 45 to 60 seconds. It reaches its full strength in approximately two and a half minutes. As the wound heals, the adhesive sloughs from the skin. Complete healing typically occurs in five to ten days.

Bill Schneider Appointed President of Northwest Hospital

Bill Schneider, Northwest Hospital's CEO, was appointed hospital president on February 1, 1999. Mr. Schneider has been part of the Northwest Hospital management team for 18 years. Through his contributions, Mr. Schneider has played a pivotal role in the programs that have been integral to Northwest Hospital's success.

James D. Hart relinquished his responsibilities as president in order to pursue a life-long goal, a church mission. As board chairman William J. Rex explained, "The board is very grateful for the leadership Jim Hart has provided the hospital over the past quarter century. Under his leadership, Northwest Hospital has emerged as one of Seattle's premier hospitals and enjoys an international reputation for its specialties, cancer research, and quality of care." Mr. Hart will retain his responsibilities as President of Quality Sciences and Research until June.

Northwest Hospital welcomes Bill Schneider to his new responsibilities and wishes James Hart all the best as he begins his personal mission in June.

Laser Treatment for Prostate Enlargement

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, affects at least half of all American men after the age of 60. By age eighty, 80 percent of all men will experience symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which may include painful or difficult urination, a "full bladder" sensation after urinating, and, if left untreated, damage to the kidneys and bladder. Men over age 50 are encouraged to include annual prostate exams as part of their regular health check-up.

Northwest Hospital now offers the Indigo LaserOptic Treatment System, an advanced, minimally invasive treatment that combines fiber optics with diode laser technology. It allows the surgeon, under direct visualization, to use a diode laser to safely destroy excess prostate tissue.

Laser surgery offers a safe and effective treatment option for the symptoms of BPH without the use of invasive surgery or the side effects associated with prolonged drug therapy. After performing laser surgery, local physicians have reported that the procedure's side effects have been minimal and outcomes have been excellent.

For additional information about this new procedure, or for a physician referral, please call 1-800-MED-INFO.

Wound Care Center Provides Proper Foot Care Guidelines for Patients

Wounds on the feet can be slow to heal. Proper foot care is particularly important for the elderly and people with diabetes, since blood flow to their legs may be decreased, increasing the likelihood that small injuries to the feet or toes may result in serious infections, sores, or tissue death (gangrene).

By following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce the frequency and severity of injuries to your feet.

• Never go barefoot - even indoors.
• Avoid exposing feet to extreme temperatures or conditions. Try not to walk on hot sand or pavement, and use a sunscreen to protect feet from sunburn.
• Check bath water with your elbow before entering to ensure that it is not too hot.
• If your feet get cold at night, do not use hot water bottles or a heating pad to warm cold feet; instead, wear loose socks in bed. Never use hot or cold soaks for your feet.
• Nails should be trimmed straight across; corners can be gently rounded with a fine emery board or pumice stone.
• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Avoid shoes with open toes or heels.
• When purchasing new shoes, try them on late in the day when your feet are slightly enlarged so you can ensure that they will fit comfortably at any time.
• Report foot problems to your doctor as soon as they arise.