Forrest General has a lot to be proud of lately, with growth and progress in almost every area of care, for every stage of life. All of this progress has been achieved while maintaining the excellence in health care that Pine Belt residents have come to expect. Forrest General is winning by the numbers, one patient at a time.

Now Heal This! Forrest General opens new comprehensive Wound Healing Center
Forrest General's new Wound Healing Center, developed in partnership with National Healing Corporation, is the only one of its kind in Forrest General's service area. The center features a full range of proven, comprehensive wound treatment services that will benefit many different types of patients, including those suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, compromised skin grafts and flaps and wounds that haven't healed within 30 days with conventional treatment. Patients benefit from the latest in equipment and technology, delivered by local physicians who are specially-trained in National Healing Corporation protocols taught at Ohio State University. The center also features hyperbaric oxygen chambers, which can be used to treat patients suffering from such uncommon ailments as cyanide poisoning, gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning and the "bends," or decompression sickness.

Three newly-renovated surgical suites offer state-of-the-art care to patients
Thanks to a recent renovation at Forrest General, Pine Belt surgery patients can now benefit from some of the most state-of-the-art surgical suites available in Mississippi. The hospital has recently completed renovation of three surgical suites that offer advanced laparoscopic and vascular technology. Two of the suites, called endo-suites, are used for laparoscopic procedures, which are minimally-invasive and drastically reduce patient recovery time. The third suite, the Vascular Suite, is used for vascular and endovascular procedures, such as stenting for aortic aneurysms and carotid artery interventions. These suites can also accommodate patients needing hybrid procedures, consisting of multiple procedures that would have previously required separate surgeries. All three of these new high-tech, fully integrated operating suites utilize high-definition camera systems, voice-activated equipment for the surgeon, two-way voice conferencing for physician-to-physician consultation and high-definition digital imagery.

Completed renovations put finishing touch on beautiful new Women and Children's area
In the summer of 2005, Forrest General embarked on a project to completely renovate their existing Labor and Delivery area, as well as add new features that would enhance the experience for new parents and their families, and assist the staff in delivering the best care possible. Between the summer of 2005 and March 2006, a new entrance on the fourth floor of the parking garage was constructed, giving expectant mothers a private entrance to the Labor and Delivery area. During this time, a 36-bed Family Birthplace was constructed and the first phase of renovations in the Labor and Delivery unit began. These extensive renovations were completed in the fall of 2008 and today, the unit consists of 12 large, completely remodeled rooms that offer modern décor, private showers, flat screen televisions with DVD players, soft lighting and sleeper sofas. Since 1952, Forrest General has been the chosen birthplace for generations of Pine Belt residents. Now, thanks to a recently-completed extensive renovation project, many more generations will take their first breaths in surroundings that embrace the comforts of home, while featuring state-of-the-art medical care for mother and baby.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) soon to provide family-centered care
Forrest General is also working to expand and remodel their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) into one of the most modern and advanced units in the nation, and Forrest General administration, NICU staff members and the Forrest General Healthcare Foundation are all working diligently to accomplish that goal. Demolition of the old unit has been completed, and construction for the new NICU began in late 2008. Babies born at Forrest General needing specialized care will benefit from the expanded space and heightened technology of the new NICU, which will allow family members and the infant to stay in the same room.

Joint Commission certified Stroke Care Center provides quality stroke care
Forrest General's Stroke Care Center successfully completed a review by the Joint Commission to achieve disease-specific care certification as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center. This certification means that the hospital has completed the requirements for staff and patient education and proper care of stroke patients, as outlined by Joint Commission standards of care. During the survey, the Joint Commission representative reported no areas that needed improvement, which is an unprecedented accomplishment. The Joint Commission is a not-for-profit organization whose accreditation and certification of health care organizations is recognized for quality in cities across the country. They work with health care organizations to improve quality and safety of care through established guidelines and requirements.

Recertification as Level II Trauma Center assures trauma care for Forrest General's 17-county service area
Forrest General's Trauma Center has been re-certified as a Level II Trauma Center by the Mississippi Department of Health's Emergency Medical Services. In addition to Forrest General's outstanding Emergency Center, the hospital is the only Level II Trauma Center in south Mississippi, and has been rated Level II since 2000. Forrest General is part of the Southeast Trauma Care Region, which includes 11 participating hospitals in southeast Mississippi, of which Forrest General is the Lead Agency as the Level II facility. In order to maintain Level II standing, Forrest General counts on having board-certified physicians on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When minutes count, the Pine Belt counts on Forrest General.

Pine Grove Behavioral Health celebrates 25 years of caring
From relatively small beginnings in the spring of 1984, Pine Grove Behavioral Health and Addiction Services has grown to hold the title of Mississippi's largest treatment facility for psychiatric and addictive diseases. Pine Grove, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009, benefits patients in the Pine Belt and far beyond with various inpatient, outpatient and residential programs. Pine Grove also operates offices spreading across south Mississippi, with locations in Laurel, Gulfport, Madison, McComb, Meridian, Picayune, Columbia, Lucedale, Magee, Wiggins and Gautier. During its 25 years, Pine Grove has grown exponentially, with success stories from all of Mississippi's 82 counties, 50 U.S. states and several foreign countries. Pine Grove offers treatment services beneficial to all areas of the population, including several highly specialized programs such as Gentle Path, which treats sexual addictions, Next Step, a chemical dependency treatment program for men, the Women's Center, a residential program to treat eating disorders and chemical dependency and Professional Enhancement, which works with professionals to help in interpersonal relationship and vocational issues.

Spirit of Women program attains premier status
With more than 6,300 members, Forrest General is south Mississippi's exclusive Spirit of Women hospital, recently achieving premier status by meeting Spirit of Women national standards of excellence in women's health. Spirit of Women Hospital Network is a national coalition of hospitals and health care facilities in more than 75 U.S. cities joined together with a mission to move women to take action for better health...mind, body and spirit.

Cardiology Services provides quality cardiac care, in your hometown
Thanks to a partnership between Forrest General and Hattiesburg Clinic, satellite cardiology clinics have been established as an expanded service of the two organizations in Collins, Magee, Picayune, Richton, Seminary, Waynesboro and Wiggins. These clinics offer many services to patients including chest x-rays, full access to a lab for heart-related blood tests and EKGs, medication management and 24-hour or 30-day heart monitoring needs. Patients who need additional services can be referred to Forrest General to complete those tests. At these clinics, patients receive expert care provided by board-certified Hattiesburg Clinic cardiologists who work on a rotational basis to see patients throughout the week. Aside from offering cardiac expertise usually only found at large healthcare facilities, these clinics are just minutes away from most patients, increasing accessibility and making the process of visiting a cardiologist much more convenient.

Forrest General busy anticipating growth and expansion for the future!
Forrest General is currently undergoing renovations and expansions, but is also planning for things to come! As one of the Forrest General Healthcare Foundation's three main projects, the hospital is beginning plans for a new Inpatient Hospice Home, to be located just blocks from Forrest General. This facility will offer peace of mind for patients and their family members who are seeking a higher level of palliative care. For more information on this project, or to find out how you can contribute, contact the Forrest General Healthcare Foundation at 601-288-4396. Forrest General is also currently expanding the Critical Care area, adding much-needed space for some of the hospital's most critical patients, as well as added room for family members to be near their loved one.

For more information on Forrest General and any of these or its other available services, call FGH OnCall at 1-800-844-4445, then press 1, from 2 - 10 p.m., 7 days a week, or send an e-mail.