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The $10.6 million hospital within a hospital
was financed through funds generated by the UK Hospital with no allocations from the
state.
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LEXINGTON, KY (Aug. 1997)--The grand opening of the University of Kentucky
Children’s Hospital was held on Saturday, Aug. 23, marking another milestone in the
UK Chandler Medical Center’s commitment to excellence in health care for
Kentucky’s children.
The 64,000-square-foot facility is dedicated to meeting the
medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. Representing a cornerstone of
health care in Kentucky, the family-centered setting will offer health services from
routine primary care to advanced inpatient care.
The $10.6 million hospital within a hospital was financed through funds generated by
the UK Hospital with no allocations from the state.
The UK Children’s Hospital includes a 12-bed pediatric intensive care unit, a
newly designed neonatal intensive care unit, and a designated entrance, elevator and
lobby. It also has parent sleeping rooms, laundry facilities and a family kitchen and
contains 38 private acute patient care rooms with sleeping and shower facilities for
parents. Additionally, the hospital features a new outpatient area for children who need
to be admitted for less than 24 hours and has a state-of-the-art nurse communication
center as well as new playrooms, a library and a multi-media room for child-life
activities.
Over the last several years, local physicians, families and volunteers have been
actively involved in planning the UK Children’s Hospital. The hospital has been
designed with the needs of the entire family in mind. Family-centered care is a philosophy
that recognizes and respects the family’s importance in the care and healing of a
child in the hospital and at home. This philosophy has always been practiced at UK and has
guided the design and construction of the children’s hospital. For example, because
families need to stay with their children to help in the healing process, parents will be
provided with a comfortable place to sleep close to their children.
For 35 years, UK has been known as the premier institution in the eastern half of the
state for pediatric care, encompassing both general and specialized services, from
well-child care to life-saving care. Last year alone, more than 6,000 children were
admitted to the hospital; 66,000 visits were made to the pediatrics clinic; 8,500 children
were treated in UK’s emergency department, and the Level III neonatal intensive care
unit cared for over 800 newborns.
The UK Children’s Hospital is led by Vipul N. Mankad, M.D., professor and chair of
pediatrics, UK College of Medicine. The medical staff includes more than 70 pediatric
specialists working in 24 different areas, 200 pediatric nurses who work only with
children and over 100 support personnel such as pediatric respiratory therapists,
pediatric dietitians, pediatric social workers and pediatric pharmacists.
The dedication -- which was open to the public -- included a special ceremony and and
special tours of the facility. During the day, families participated in a health fair and
children’s crafts, and enjoyed entertainment.
By Mary Margaret
Colliver |
