NEW ORLEANS – The outpatient clinic at The LaNasa/Greco Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital recently underwent a $315,000 renovation that increased children’s privacy, care quality and fun quotient, too. The hospital will dedicate the renovated clinic in a ceremony tomorrow afternoon at 4 o’clock.

All area of the clinic received a makeover including the addition of a private entrance and waiting room, which features a child-size pirate ship and video arcade systems to entertain children while they wait for their appointments. At the dedication, the clinic’s waiting area will be named in honor of Susan Le Clercq, in gratitude for the care she received at Children’s Hospital. Susan’s grandmother, Susan Johnson, is a longtime member of the hospital’s board of trustees. The Johnsons and Le Clercqs donated $50,000 to help kick-off the clinic’s renovation.

In addition to the new waiting room, the clinic’s nurses’ station was enlarged to create greater work space and improved flow. Each exam room was redecorated and now features a TV/DVD player to keep families entertained during their visit.

The clinic’s infusion room – an area used for stem cell collections – was opened to increase privacy for children returning from the recovery room. Each treatment chair has its own semi-private space, fish tank and TV/DVD. Local artist Michael Hunt is raising money to add gaming stations – with a variety of systems, including Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360 – at each treatment chair.

“There really is a new feeling to the clinic,” said Lolie Yu, MD, director of Children’s Hospital’s Hematology/Oncology Department. “There has been a positive response from both our families and our medical staff. People like the TVs in the rooms, and having privacy in the infusion room adds a lot to each child’s complete care.” 

The clinic will also be equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter n early 2009, Yu added. With more than 800 patients receiving treatment annually, The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital is a national leader in pediatric hematology and oncology treatment and research. The Center provides comprehensive, compassionate “total care” for the child and family. The hospital provides treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, tumors, anemia, hemophilia, and other childhood cancers and blood disorders.