The Pediatric Unit at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

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The Pediatric Unit at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

The University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, a nearly 300-bed community hospital in Glen Burnie, has shown its dedication to innovative health care by offering patients treatments and services not typically available in a community hospital. The pediatric unit is no exception.

A couple of years ago, the facility started an inpatient pediatric High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC) Program, a respiratory support treatment used for patients with asthma, pneumonia and other conditions, which is typically only available to children at more specialized institutions. The initiative has continued to grow, and so far, 86% of the 91 children admitted to HFNC were treated and discharged to their homes.

Hospital officials said in their application for this award, the innovation “has enabled families to receive high-quality care in their community, which promotes better access to quality care for the community’s children.”

The UMBW Medical Center also has opened a new intensive care unit with 22 beds, nearly doubling its capacity for critical care patients to be treated at a community hospital instead of another facility.

The unusual boost of critical care is possible, hospital officials wrote because the medical center is able to capitalize on partnerships between the UM system, health care industry and the community to provide “state-of the-art-medical care while innovating at the bedside.”

Their hospital, officials added, “has remained committed to providing excellent and cutting-edge care to this community and all of Maryland despite the significant hurdles and cutbacks that have been seen across the entire heath care sector.”