Bigfork Valley Inpatient Care

The Big Fork River flows on its northward path outside the windows of the new inpatient rooms at Bigfork Valley. Inside, the northwoods theme is picked up in architectural and decorating detail: a leaf pattern on the ceiling and carpet; subdued earth tones in blue, green and copper; a fireplace in the family waiting area; a subtle curve to the hallway.

It makes the environment "pleasing and comfortable for our patients," explained Director of Patient Care Services Nancy Probst.

But under the attractive surface is an advanced patient care unit. Wood cabinet doors, for instance, slide into their cabinetry to reveal outlets for oxygen and other medical use. Above the recessed doorways is a coded patient call light. Rooms have private wheelchair-accessible shower areas and baths, and there is a second sink in the room for handwashing.

There are 11 rooms for 20 licensed beds in the inpatient wing, designed for acute care, swing bed and transitional use. Each room has built-in cabinetry for patient belongings, an enclosed television unit and storage for items like extra blankets.

One room is designed to be an isolation room, with a negative air pressure to ensure infection containment. At the other end of the hall is a large single room designed in size, lighting, and amenities to accommodate labor and delivery. One of the amenities? A whirlpool bathtub.

Another specialized tub bath is available to patients; one that actually moves so that a patient can be transferred to the bath in the seated position. The tub also moves up and down.

Although meals are prepared in the facility kitchens, there is a patient nutrition room for point-of-use ice dispensing and light food preparation.

In the center of the wing is the family and visitor waiting area, a seating area with a large fireplace and a balcony overlooking the river. Across from this is the nurses' station, where patient rooms are monitored, records maintained and medications prepared for administration.

Visitors will enter the inpatient area through the atrium, a central rotunda with a large overhead skylight and seating around a woodland scene. The wood paneled walls of the rotunda will be the backdrop for part of the facility's art collection which has been donated through the years.

The natural light and airy feel to the area is important for both patients and visitors, believes Probst. "It feels like a healing environment," she said.