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Robert Chicarello worked with construction project managers to ensure they added a curb cut to the sidewalk in front of 10 Vining St.
From his office window at 10 Vining St., Parking and Security Director Robert Chicarello has a first-hand view of current construction projects. Between roadwork repairs and exterior building work, Chicarello saw that access for people who use wheelchairs was impeded.
“It just wasn’t safe, no matter how temporary the construction is,” said Chicarello.
He reminded the city crew that a curb cut was required at the Vining Street corner by the garage, and he worked with the scaffolding contractor to create a safe sidewalk travel route for people accessing the building.
“The fact that our own staff are out there advocating for some of our most important changes speaks volumes about our dedication to our mission of making BWH a fully accessible hospital for people with disabilities,” said Janet Razulis, administrative director of Patient Care Services and co-chair of the BWH Disabilities Awareness Council, who noted that this summer marked the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In the past two years, BWH has identified four key areas in which to make improvements in disability access: physical barriers; accessible equipment; training for everyone who interacts with patients; and policies and procedures.
One of BWH’s biggest areas of focus in 2010 has been physical space. The Vining Street curb cut falls into this category, as do recent improvements to the Bornstein Amphitheater, which closed for two weeks in August to make room for wheelchair seating.
“The changes give people who use wheelchairs an opportunity to be part of the audience instead of sitting by the doors,” said Razulis. “Bornstein also will soon have a power door opener, an accessible podium and assistive listening technology for people with hearing impairments.”
Other improvements include the addition of five inpatient, accessible bathrooms in the Tower, with plans to create six more over the next three years.
In the accessible equipment category, BWH has added over 75 power exam tables in the outpatient practices. New this year for nurses and clinicians is the introduction of hearing enhancers, small devices with a microphone and ear buds that enable patients to hear amplified sound.
“Sensory changes in older patients can contribute to confusion, delirium, longer hospital stay and misunderstood instructions,” said Susan Gordon, MS, RN, nursing director of Tower 10CD. “Just by using these hearing enhancers, nurses and other care providers have an opportunity to connect with their patients.”
Eunice Lugo, RN, of 10CD, has used hearing enhancers with three patients to date.
“One of my patients was an elderly man who used hearing aids, but his family forgot them at home,” said Lugo. “The hearing device made a noticeable difference. His family saw a difference, too.”