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Neuroscience Center Set For Groundbreaking

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/21/2008 04:14 pm

BRANDON - A center specializing in brain, spinal and nerve-related injuries and illnesses soon will be under construction at Brandon Regional Hospital, enabling stroke patients and others to get specialized treatment closer to home.

Although the area isn't seeing an influx of older residents as in other parts of Hillsborough County, the population has increased, and there is a need for a specialized neurosciences center, said Trent Lind, one of the hospital's chief operating officers.

"We want to make sure we have a full complement of services available," he said, so patients don't have to be transferred to hospitals elsewhere.

The $13 million center is expected to be under construction by March and completed by December. It will be in the hospital's newest tower, built in 2003 with three empty floors for anticipated growth.

The 25,000-square-foot unit will have 10 beds for critical care patients and 30 for acute surgery patients, bringing the hospital's bed count to 407.

The unit also will have space for people who have suffered cardiac arrest or brain injuries requiring hypothermia treatment to cool the body. Four beds will be equipped with video surveillance for epilepsy patients experiencing seizures.

Having patients treated for stroke and other neurological ailments on one floor will free beds elsewhere, said Chief Executive Officer Mike Fencel. "That alone will add 10 percent to our capacity."

Two neurosurgeons are on staff. Fencel said the hospital is wrapping up contract negotiations with a third and will have 30 to 40 nurses in the neurosciences center. Some will be transferred from other units at Brandon Regional, and others will be hired.

The hospital recently received its primary stroke certification, meaning it offers exceptional standards in care, said Melissa Cole, who will serve as director of the new center. Each nurse will receive training to meet National Institutes of Health standards for neurological care, she said.

"We'll also be able to do a lot of in-house training, so as medicine changes, we can get the latest updates," Cole said.

The medical center also has a heart and vascular unit, a spine center and a neonatal intensive care unit.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or at yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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