New stepdown unit opens at WVU Medicine Children’s

A new stepdown unit opened at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital today (June 14), creating a more consolidated and seamless continuum of care for children.

The new unit, on 6 Southeast, has six beds with around 24 nurses trained to care for pediatric patients with a higher level of acuity, such as respiratory issues, trauma patients, and patients with neurological issues, Jeffery Lancaster, MD, said. An inter-professional team, including providers from nursing and respiratory, along with representatives from supply chain, care management, information technology, pharmacy, human resources, and clinical education, were instrumental in the planning and implementation process over the past four months.

“This unit will allow us to care for our sicker patients without having to transfer them to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU); we can centralize the care they need in one place,” Dr. Lancaster said.

Two or three nurses per shift will provide care, giving these patients a higher level of attention, said clinical preceptor Lauryn Walker. Also, the unit will serve as a pilot for the opening of the new Children’s Hospital in the fall.

“We are excited for this opportunity of new growth for both our staff and the patients we care for on 6 Southeast, Erin Barrett, unit manager, said.

Although the unit is new, the transfer process for referring physicians and hospitals will remain the same, Dr. Lancaster said.

Referring providers can call 1-855-WVUKids to speak to a Medical Access Referral System (MARS) operator about transferring patients directly to the unit.