Pam Klaber, clinical manager of Fort Hamilton Hospital’s emergency department, begins each work day the same way: a morning devotional with the staff.
“We are a faith-based hospital, and we really feel like we are called here to serve. It’s not just a job to us, but a calling,” said Klaber. “Our patients and their families always remain our number-one focus.”
Recognizing that a trip to the emergency room can be a frightening experience, the staff’s morning huddles focus on how they can better serve patients and their families – discussing everything from showing kindness and respect, to providing warm blankets and a loving touch.
“We are focused on providing care not only for our patients but for their family members, as well. We believe that all of our patients and their families are an extension of our immediate family,” explained Renee Smith, administrative director for emergency, medical surgical and behavioral health services at Fort Hamilton Hospital.
Renovating and expanding to better serve the community
In an effort to continue bringing the compassionate, quality care that the community has come to expect, “we are continuously assessing and adjusting care delivery accordingly,” said Smith.
Fort Hamilton Hospital’s emergency department has undergone major renovations and expansions over the last several years. Patients can expect improved access with a faster turnaround.
From the moment a patient enters the emergency department lobby, the quality of care is evident, as they are met by a nurse, not a registrar, who will immediately assess their injuries and symptoms and assign them to a bed.
Those patients who present with non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as sprains, ear aches or minor cuts/scrapes, are placed in the fast track unit, enabling them to receive treatment quickly, keeping the acute-care beds open for emergencies.
The department also features:
- On-site radiology
- A four-bed behavioral health unit
- A decontamination area
- A separate sexual assault exam room, located away from busy hallways
- Its own medical transport fleet
- Electronic adjustable stretchers and extra-thick mattresses to increase patient comfort
Outstanding care and access to a nationally ranked network
Patients who walk through the doors of Fort Hamilton Hospital’s emergency department not only have the benefit of being under the care of a highly skilled, trained and compassionate staff, but they also have the support of a full-service, award-winning hospital. Physicians and nurses in the emergency department at Fort Hamilton Hospital have a strong collaboration with other specialties within the hospital, improving the continuity of patient care.
In addition, patients have access to the entire Kettering Health Network, which has been recognized as one of Truven Health Analytics 15 top health systems in the nation for a fourth time.
“It’s teamwork and keeping the focus on the compassionate care of patients that makes our department the great facility that it is,” says Klaber. “I would stack our team up against any in the country.”
Click here to learn more about the Fort Hamilton Hospital emergency department.
