11/24/2020
HARRISBURG, Pa.– UPMC today shared details of the newly opened UPMC Children’s Harrisburg inpatient unit, located within UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg. The newly constructed unit brings UPMC Children Hospital of Pittsburgh’s nationally ranked specialty care to families in southcentral Pennsylvania.
“Since Pinnacle hospitals were merged into the UPMC network in 2017, UPMC has invested $910 million to the hospitals to elevate the level of care we provide. This re-investment, including our new $12 million UPMC Children’s Harrisburg, represents UPMC’s commitment to offering world-class care to the people of southcentral Pennsylvania,” said Philip Guarneschelli, president, UPMC Pinnacle.
UPMC Children’s Harrisburg, a 26-bed unit, includes 11 new, private rooms each designed for universal use, meaning children stay in one room throughout their hospital stay and the appropriate level of care is brought to them. The unit mirrors the design of UPMC Children Hospital of Pittsburgh, which has yielded higher-quality outcomes and high-ranking patient and family experiences, since it eliminates multiple patient transfers.
“Remaining in the same room for the entire patient stay provides consistency in a patient’s care team. Seeing the same providers, nurses, and support staff each day builds trust and improves outcomes” said Chris Mmuo, M.D., vice chairman of pediatrics and director of the pediatric hospitalist program, UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg. “Each room is also equipped with all the technology needed to provide care at the bedside.”
The comprehensive care team at UPMC Children’s Harrisburg is supported by specialists in Pittsburgh 24/7 through bedside telemedicine, offering real-time consultation to more than 400 specialty care providers. In addition, UPMC will provide around-the-clock access to board-certified, pediatric emergency medicine physicians at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh through video Emergency Department-to-Emergency Department consultations beginning this month.
“UPMC Pinnacle is one of many new partnerships where we will provide enhanced pediatric emergency care support 24/7 to patients and families across the region,” said Mark Sevco, president, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. “Through this affiliation with UPMC Children’s, we will bring unmatched pediatric expertise to children with acute illnesses and injuries in southcentral PA and other areas throughout the region.”
The expanded inpatient pediatric services build upon UPMC’s expertise offered in outpatient pediatric care through UPMC Children’s Specialty Care in Lemoyne and UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics offices throughout southcentral Pennsylvania. These locations offer both in-person and same-day virtual appointments.
“By harnessing telemedicine technology, our patients, both within the hospital and in the outpatient setting, have access to the expert clinicians at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh,” said Deborah Willwerth, vice president, pediatrics, UPMC Pinnacle.
Designed with families in mind, the inpatient unit also includes:
• Age-appropriate furniture, activity tables, and computerized interactive displays for toddlers, school-age children, and teens.
• A lounge to serve as a respite area for parents while their children are in the hospital.
• Dedicated, trained child life specialists to support patients’ psychosocial and developmental needs by working with patients one-on-one and in group activities in coordination with providers and families.
“UPMC Children’s is just one of the advanced specialty care services we are bringing to southcentral Pennsylvania,” said Lou Baverso, chief operating officer and president of central region, UPMC Pinnacle. “We are continuing to expand services with UPMC experts and technology that will enhance our compassionate, high-quality patient care to better serve our communities.”
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is recognized consistently for its clinical, research, educational, and advocacy-related accomplishments, including ranking on the 2020-2021 U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.
For more information, visit CHP.edu/Harrisburg.