The University of Kentucky Hospital this week unveiled a brand new cardiovascular inpatient unit. Patients will move in to the new addition this weekend.
UK officials say the 64 bed inpatient unit is one of the largest cardiovascular intensive care facilities in the country. It features a combination of the latest medical technologies as well as lots of windows to the outside world. Officials say it's that view which can help the recovery process.
In an era of health care reform, Gill Heart Institute Medical Director Susan Smyth says the key is efficient care. "One of the things that we really pride ourselves on is, doing what is appropriate for the patient and really no more, no less. So that everything that we do is medically necessary and that we're providing the most appropriate for the patients, but that we're not doing things that they don't need," said Smyth.
In addition to serving the sickest Kentuckians, Smyth says UK hospital's cardiovascular intensive care unit also treats patients from West Virginia, Southern Ohio, and Northern Tennessee.
While the addition includes the latest in technology, Gill Heart Institute Surgical Director Dr. Michael Sekela says aesthetics also mean a lot to patients and their families. "If you're stuck in here weeks on end waiting for a heart or waiting to get better, you can see the street, you can see people, you can see motion, it gives you the push to say 'I want to get back out there," said Sekela.
Staff will be using handheld devices to streamline delivery of medications and minimize errors. Patients will transition to the new unit this Sunday.
?
