CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Independence Health System Clarion Hospital cut the ribbon on its newly expanded and remodeled Emergency Department on Monday afternoon.
(PHOTO ABOVE: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony outside the hospital emergency department to celebrate the renovations. Photo (left to right): Ken DeFurio, President & CEO, Independence Health System; Ted Tharan, Clarion County Commissioner; Ed Heasley, Clarion County Commissioner; PA State Representative Donna Oberlander; Wayne Brosius, Clarion County Commissioner; Michael Hoh, DO, ED Medical Director; Todd Morando, ED Director; Sue Baumcratz, RN; Brad Myers, RN; Chasity Bowersox, RN; Kathy Schwab, Karen Allen, President Clarion & Butler Memorial Hospital; Dr. Michael Fiorina, CMO; Leslie Walters, CNO. Photo by Adrian Weber.)
Some prominent local figures were in attendance at the ribbon cutting, including state representative Donna Oberlander, Clarion County Commissioners Ted Tharan, Ed Heasley and Wayne Brosius, alongside many of the hospital’s staff and area residents.
“What we thought two years ago was going to be a two million dollar project ended up being a three point five million dollar project, and that’s what we’re here to cut the ribbon on today,” announced Ken DeFurio, President and CEO of Independence Health.
The project began two years ago and was supported by a $1 million state grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) that focused on enhancing patient access to care, patient privacy and patient comfort. The remainder was paid with health system capital improvement funds.
Independence Health is the third largest health system in western Pennsylvania and has grown to a five-hospital system serving ten counties.
DeFurio recognizes the challenges that come with growth in the health industry.
“I’ve never been an advocate of ‘bigger is better.'”
“Just because you’re bigger, by no means makes you better. Oftentimes it creates a lot of problems.”
What matters most to DeFurio is the health system has “enough scale to make sure we are essential, relevant, and necessary in whatever communities we serve.”
DeFurio noted that the Clarion County Commissioners were instrumental in obtaining over one million dollars in grant money for the project, to which Defurio recognized and applauded the commissioners.
Above photo: Ken DeFurio, left and Karen Allen, right. Photo by Adrian Weber.
“The improvements to the emergency department will allow us to continue to offer great care, but in a better environment,” said Karen Allen, President of Clarion Hospital and Butler Memorial Hospital.
In addition, Allen announced the hospital, which is celebrating its’ 70th anniversary this year, is getting two new ambulances and that “this is an exciting time for Clarion.”
“It (the new ED) is beautiful, but if you haven’t seen it that’s a good thing,” joked Allen.
Above photos: The newly renovated Emergency Department at Clarion Hospital. Photos sent by Independence Health System.
Leslie Walters, Clarion Hospital’s Chief Nursing Officer, noted to the crowd that Clarion Hospital’s Emergency Department hadn’t been renovated for 30 years.
“It was definitely needed,” said Walters.
Walters said the plans for the renovations came down to a few must haves: “Access to ED (Emergency Department), less wait times, privacy, and better staff communication.”
PHOTO: Leslie Walters addresses the crowd. Photo by Adrian Weber.
During the expansion, each of the general bays was replaced with patient rooms, and another 4 patient rooms were added to the department. The ED at Clarion Hospital is now equipped with 11 private patient rooms and 1 expanded trauma bay with 2 beds, increasing the ED patient beds from 9 to 13. Each room is equipped with new stretchers, beds, chairs and televisions.
To Walters, the renovations are “almost a 100% change from where (the ED was) three years ago.”
As part of the renovation, state-of-the-art cardiac monitors were installed in each patient room with a centralized monitoring station located at the main nursing station. These monitors are fully integrated with the health system’s electronic medical record to ensure data collected at the bedside automatically uploads to the patient’s health record, speeding up efficiency and providing physicians and clinicians quick access to a patient’s vital health information. The patient call bell system also was updated, providing patients a direct line to the central nurse’s station to communicate with staff more quickly as they await assistance at the bedside.
Renovations to the patient registration areas help to enhance patient privacy during the check-in process. Updated furnishings in the ED waiting areas provide added comfort to patients and families during their visit.
Michael Fiorina, DO, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer of Clarion Hospital and Butler Memorial called the renovations “a welcome enhancement to the prehospital services offered at Clarion Hospital.”
“Patient care in the Emergency Department is dynamic throughout the day as we triage and respond to whatever illnesses or injuries are presented,” said Fiorina. “It’s important that clinicians have the tools and resources they need to address these needs, which often can be life-threatening.”
DeFurio said that he “most importantly” wanted to thank the staff.
“I want to thank the ED staff, the ED physicians, and everyone who works at this hospital, for your support, and for being there for this community.”
Above photo: One of the 11 renovated patient rooms. Photo sent by Independence Health System.
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