WILLIAMSPORT -- Newswatch 16 was given access Tuesday to surgical areas at Williamsport Regional Medical Center not normally open to the public. That's because the hospital spent millions to update its surgery center to be more convenient and comfortable for patients.
There are new operating rooms with state of the art equipment. The hospital is now even allowing family members to come back and visit patients right before and after surgery. The surgery center opens next week.
While a trip to the Williamsport Regional Medical Center on High Street is an easy drive for Barbara Birt from Nesbit, it's not always her favorite place to go.
"I think anyone going into surgery is scared, not knowing what is going to happen what they are going to be like when they get out of surgery," said Birt.
The folks at Williamsport Regional Medical Center know that's the case for many of their patients. It's part of the reason why the facility created a new multi-million dollar surgery center, a modern centralized location comfortable enough to relieve some worries.
"You're coming into one area. As the family you don't have to leave that one area from the time you walk in to the time you leave,” said Dr. Leslie Webb.
There's also newer equipment and more of it. It means doctors like Leslie Webb can offer more to her patients. New post and pre-surgery rooms are closer to the O.R., so doctors are closer too.
"It's great for everyone because if something happens, if there is a complication after a procedure, we can go right over," said Dr. Webb.
After a patient is out of surgery, their family doesn't have to go far to talk with a doctor. There's a brand new room for that. The consult room is a room where the doctors and family members can talk privately; ask questions they may not have felt comfortable doing out in the open.
"I like the convenience of meeting them one to one," said Birt. "And you don't feel like everyone is hearing your business," she continued.
"It's just a benefit I haven't seen at other facilities this size," said Bill Miller.
Miller helped put up new signs on the fourth floor of the hospital. He was able to look inside before the official opening March 1.
"Having this here and the people able to help you eases things and eases your mind as you go through the procedure," said Miller.