“Expansion of the ICU department will allow us to accommodate a greater number of patients receiving highly specialized or complex surgical procedures,” said Dr. Kevin Joseph, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition, our service-line offering will continue to expand to accommodate more acutely ill patients, both medical and surgical, while providing the same level of quality, safety and comfort that we have always delivered.”
A Trauma Center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries that require specialized and experienced multidisciplinary treatments and resources.
The 27,000-square-foot ICU will most frequently accommodate blunt force injuries — commonly resulting from falls — and motor vehicle crashes, said Grant Wenzel, spokesman for West Chester Hospital.
Patrick Baker, chief nursing officer at West Chester Hospital, said a benefit to Butler County communities is having access to the pool of nearly 800 specialists within UC Health Physicians that treat patients at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center — the region’s only Level I Trauma Center.
“It’s the same doctors staffing our ICU; all those specialists are coming here,” Baker said, including specialized surgeons for orthopaedic, spine and ENT (Ear Nose Throat) needs. “By adding a trauma program and additional beds, it allows us to keep patients in the community.”
Wenzel said West Chester Hospital — which opened in 2009 — was originally built to support a trauma program in its future, so all the large equipment such as imaging equipment and trauma service beds have already been in place. To prepare for opening the additional beds in December, the hospital has been stocking up on common needs including trauma catheterization kits, cervical collars and an increased supply of blood.
Wenzel said final safety, environmental and equipment calibration testing is being completed this week.
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