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WILKES-BARRE — Before cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital’s expanded heart and vascular unit Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer Cor Catena talked about commitment to community.
“Just 18 months ago, we all gathered for the groundbreaking for this project,” Catena said. “And now here we are. This project is testament to the commitment we made to this community.”
The centerpiece of the $40 million vertical expansion is a two-story, 34-room intensive care unit and critical care unit.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George said the opening of the new heart and vascular institute was a fitting event as Valentine’s Day approached.
“I can’t think of a better Valentine’s gift for the residents of Wilkes-Barre and across Northeastern Pennsylvania,” George said. “Additionally, the expansion of the intensive care units will allow more patients to receive the expert care they need, close to home and near to their loved ones.”
George said its helipad will save transport time, when it is most critical, to Wilkes-Barre General’s Level II Trauma Center.
“And the expansion has contributed more than $640,000 to the city for building permits,” George said. “I am sure it will have further economic impact, as patients and their families look for the best care in the area.”
That certainly was the case for state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, who candidly shared some personal experiences.
“My family has received great health care at this facility,” Pashinski said. “People often look to other areas when seeking quality health care. This project shows we can do just as well right here.”
The first floor of the structure houses the emergency department, the second floor is home to the Heart & Vascular Institute and the third floor was built out to house an ICU unit with 16 beds.
The expansion includes the addition of three floors: a fourth floor for ICU with 18 beds, a fifth floor to store equipment to run the ICU; and a sixth floor that will serve as the helipad.
The new, two-floor ICU unit will include 34 total beds. Catena said each ICU room is spacious, ranging in size from 400 to 600 square feet. He also touted all new equipment, including state-of-the-art monitors and specialty beds that allow for easier turning of patients.
Catena said moving the ICU to the new structure will allow for conversion of more semi-private rooms to private. He added that approximately 200 rooms in the main hospital have been renovated and nursing stations were made more spacious.
The opening comes a few months after Wilkes-Barre General was accredited as a Level II Trauma Center, the only trauma facility within the city.
The $53 million construction of the first three floors of this wing (emergency department, heart and vascular institute and third floor) was completed in July 2012.
