OhioHealth opens Pickerington Methodist Hospital, its most technologically advanced
When the $178-million OhioHealth Pickerington Methodist Hospital opens Wednesday, it will be the health system's 15th healthcare facility in Greater Columbus. And it will be the most technologically advanced.
A standalone emergency room — formerly the Pickerington Emergency Care Center — has operated since 2015 at the new campus at 1010 Refugee Road. It was OhioHealth's busiest freestanding emergency department, and, along with OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus, treated multiple patients following the Nov. 14 bus crash that killed 6 on Interstate 70.
That emergency department will now be part of a 96-bed hospital with a full suite of services, including labor and delivery, trauma and infusion services for the growing Pickerington area community.
With more than 500 jobs created, it also will become that city's largest non-government employer, hospital officials say.
A modern 'cool factor'
OhioHealth says its smart room technology that integrates digital whiteboards with traditional hospital services is a first-of-its-kind in Greater Columbus.
During an open house on Saturday, hospital staff demonstrated how patient information would instantly appear on digital door signs when doctors or nurses wearing special badges approach a room. At the same time, patients' televisions would also be paused, allowing them to see who is about to enter their room. Test results or interaction with specialists might also follow. Friends and family would also have remote access to the patient.
The digital platforms help to better educate patients, provide them their treatment progress and offer meal options and entertainment. They are intended to supplement the traditional nurse-call button at the end of a cord.
Tom Gutman, an OhioHealth learning simulation consultant, has been called the "creative technologist" in designing the systems.
From focus groups and extensive interviews with hospital staff, he learned that patients want better communication, comfort and visibility at hospitals.
The technology, while patient-focused, also frees up time for staff and lessens long waits for results.
"We're not actually changing the work flows, or asking something so brand new that it's going to be a struggle," Gutman said of hospital staff. "Instead of waiting until Monday morning, doctors could come in for a virtual meeting and review the results and initiate the discharge process right there."
In addition to TV monitors, there are bedside iPads and cameras, with the picture, name and title of anyone about to enter a patient's room.
Better outcomes
The sense of control and connections with loved ones isn't just for customer service.
"We're able to send them a one-touch link and have multiple people drop into a room," said Kevin Lutz, president of Ohio Health Pickerington Methodist Hospital, who previously led the opening of OhioHealth Grove City Hospital. "We know patients do better when we include their families."
The fact that the standalone emergency room on the site was OhioHealth's busiest was "a clear indicator that there was a real need for a full acute-care hospital," said Lutz. Other factors included area growth and population density.
While appointments already are scheduled, the hospital likely won't reach full capacity until the spring, officials said.
Pickerington pride
OhioHealth hosted a community open house at the hospital on Saturday. The event included tours of the hospital's facilities, screening for donations to OhioHealth Mothers' Milk Bank, touch-a-truck with local fire, EMS and police vehicles, live entertainment and appearances by mascots for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Crew.
"Having a hospital in the community adds an immense amount of value to our residents," said Pickerington Mayor Lee Gray. "When a health crisis arises, people no longer have to drive 15-20 minutes to a hospital, they can get there in five. That adds to the livabilty component of Pickerington."
"Employees won’t have to travel as far for work. They can live and work right here in Pickerington," said Gray. "And with the hospital as an anchor, we now have other businesses looking to locate here, and that just adds to the excitement."
Busy year statewide
"This year we've seen three new hospitals open" in Ohio, said John Palmer, spokesman for the Ohio Hospital Association. The Cleveland Clinic has branched into Mentor in Lake County and Mercy Health into Mason in Warren County. Meanwhile, Genesis Coshocton Medical Center recently opened in Zanesville in Muskingum County.
As Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center continues its expansion, Mount Carmel Health Systems continues to build it's newest hospital in Dublin at the northwest corner of Sawmill Road and Interstate 270.
"These investments relate to population and utilization trends along with community needs," said Palmer.
The growth also highlights the need for healthcare facilities in rural areas of the state, Palmer said.
There are five counties in southeast Ohio that lack a full-service acute care hospital: Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble and Perry. Patients instead travel to Athens County and OhioHealth O'Bleness.
Key Facts
Opening Dec. 6, the new acute-care hospital includes:
Surgery (including neurosurgery, gastroenterology, orthopedics, urology and trauma) in six operating rooms.
Women’s health services (including labor and delivery, gynecology, maternal fetal medicine and neonatology).
Acute and specialty care (inpatient and outpatient), such as lung care, kidney care, infectious diseases and hospital medicine.
Primary care, sports medicine; cancer and stroke care including a stroke interventional suite.
Heart and vascular treatment (including a cardiac catherization lab).
Stroke care with a stroke interventional suite.
20-bay infusion clinic, imaging, lab services, pharmacy and rehabilitation services.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Cool factor of new Pickerington hospital also helps patient outcomes
