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Breaking
news
Ronald
McDonald House Family Rooms Open
by
Margaret Jones, RN, PhD candidate
The
opening of the Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms September
30th marked the newest family centered care initiative for the
Newborn Center at Texas Children’s Hospital. This area is provided
through the partnership of Texas Children’s and the Ronald McDonald
House of Houston. It is staffed with Ronald McDonald House staff
and volunteers 12 hours a day. The staff works closely with the
hospital to provide a home away from home for families in need.
The family room offers a cozy living/dining area, kitchen, consultation
area (quiet room), laundry, library, computer access, and 20 sleep
rooms with private baths. The area has been decorated in a home-style
motif, which includes the handiwork of a local artist to compliment
the decor. Families can walk from the living room right out to
the Fish & Boots Garden for a breath of fresh air and to enjoy
the unique “backyard.” The sleeping area provides families overnight
accommodations as well as an area to take a nap during the day.
The success of this endeavor is due to the involvement of several
families who had infants in the Newborn Center. The Ronald McDonald
House Family Rooms provide a unique opportunity for families to
get away from the stress of the hospital environment. Since the
area opened, the sleep rooms have been filled and feedback from
families that use the area is very positive.
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