West Monroe, LA – On July 25, 2013, Glenwood Regional Medical Center hosted a Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the opening of its new 14-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The 14 bed ICU is a family-focused, state-of-the-art facility with leading-edge, critical care technology located on the 3rd floor/east wing of the hospital. The addition of the new 14-bed unit brings the total ICU/CV-ICU patient beds to thirty-six.

The ICU is a 12,153 sq. ft. facility featuring patient rooms that are much larger than traditional ICU rooms. Each room has an outside window, private restroom and meets the up-to-date standards set by the Department of Health and Hospitals for critical care patients. The unit is designed so that patients will receive continuous observation by the medical staff while maintaining a level of personal privacy.

The comfort of the family has also been taken into consideration, offering a new waiting room area and recliner sleepers. A large private consultation room located across from the waiting room allows the family total privacy while meeting with staff and physicians.

“Glenwood has one of the very finest multidisciplinary critical care teams (the core approach to ICU care today and in the future). And, this team – including physicians, nurses and health care professionals has been involved in the design of the new ICU from its inception. The advanced facility will allow Glenwood to elevate the care of its patients and their families to the next level of excellence and compassion”, says Ron Elder, Glenwood Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer.

Hospital ICUs provide critical care for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Most ICU patients have sustained – or are at risk of suffering – the failure of one or more vital functions, systems or organs. Consequently, these patients require rigorous care and monitoring to reverse their near-fatal conditions and temporarily support them while they recover from the underlying disease or injury. This care may be necessary for a period of hours, days, weeks or sometimes even months.

“Glenwood has been aware for some time that the region has had a shortage of critical care beds and is proud to be the first in northeast Louisiana to bring our patients leading-edge critical care. From the beautiful walls and flooring, new furniture and state-of-the-art medical equipment, we are pleased to share the new ICU with the community we so proudly serve”, says Jeremy Tinnerello, Chief Nursing Officer at Glenwood Regional Medical Center.