(8/28/08) – Through collaboration with McLeod Hospice and the McLeod Health Foundation, two patient rooms at McLeod Medical Center Dillon have been renovated to serve McLeod Hospice patients that require hospitalization.

A patient’s environment can be crucial in maintaining comfort and peace of mind during a terminal illness. For this reason, Debbie Locklair, Administrator of McLeod Medical Center Dillon, explained, "The patient rooms are spacious and located at the end of the medical surgical main hall, allowing for a more serene experience. The renovations make each room better suited for the comfort and privacy of the terminally ill patient and their family. In addition, the size of the two rooms allows family members to be with their loved ones in a comfortable and home-like environment.

"These two rooms at McLeod Dillon are a milestone in the care that McLeod Hospice already provides to our community," added Locklair.

According to Jill Bramblett, Executive Director of the McLeod Foundation, Dillon County residents are very supportive of McLeod Hospice. "The two renovated patient rooms at McLeod Dillon are designed for the comfort and care of McLeod Hospice patients and families. In addition, the community benefits from this endeavor as well because it allows us to bring features of the McLeod Hospice House closer to those living in Dillon and the surrounding towns."

The cost of the project at McLeod Dillon was $100,000, and funds were raised in part by the generous donors of Dillon County. The renovations included the addition of two new private bathrooms fully equipped with handicap accessible showers for the ease and comfort of the patient and two new state-of-the-art beds with special gel mattresses to care for patients with compromised immune systems. The beds also feature multiple ranges of high and low access for patients with mobility problems due to weakness or advanced disease. The furnishings also include a large sleeper sofa with built in storage for family to stay overnight with their loved one.