Independence Health System Unveils Newly Expanded Emergency Department at Clarion Hospital

           CLARION, PA, AUGUST 21, 2023 … Clarion Hospital, part of Independence Health System, unveiled its newly enhanced emergency department during a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony outside the entrance of the ED on August 21.  The $3.5 million renovation began two years ago and was supported by a $1 million state grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) that focused on enhancing patient access to care, patient privacy and patient comfort.   The remainder was paid with health system capital improvement funds.   Local community leaders, members of hospital leadership, and Independence Health System employees attended the event to mark the project’s conclusion.  

“Independence Health System has been providing healthcare to the Clarion community through Clarion Hospital for nearly 70 years and continues to grow to meet the needs of patients and families by enhancing access to personalized high-quality and innovative care”, said Karen Allen, President of Clarion Hospital and Butler Memorial.  “The Clarion Hospital ED is a vital resource for emergency care. These recent renovations will improve access, communication and privacy during a patient’s next visit.”

The Clarion Hospital emergency department was last remodeled approximately 30 years ago and included 9 patient areas consisting of 3 general bays, 2 trauma bays and 4 patient rooms.  During the expansion, each of the general bays was replaced with patient rooms, and another 4 patient rooms were added to the department.  The ED at Clarion Hospital is now equipped with 11 private patient rooms and 1 expanded trauma bay with 2 beds, increasing the ED patient beds from 9 to 13.   Each room is equipped with new stretchers, beds, chairs and televisions.  

As part of the renovation, state-of-the-art cardiac monitors were installed in each patient room with a centralized monitoring station located at the main nursing station.  These monitors are fully integrated with the health system’s electronic medical record to ensure data collected at the bedside automatically uploads to the patient’s health record, speeding up efficiency and providing physicians and clinicians quick access to a patient’s vital health information.  The patient call bell system also was updated, providing patients a direct line to the central nurse’s station to communicate with staff more quickly as they await assistance at the bedside.

“Patient care in the Emergency Department is dynamic throughout the day as we triage and respond to whatever illnesses or injuries are presented. It’s important that clinicians have the tools and resources they need to address these needs, which often can be life-threatening,” said Michael Fiorina, DO, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer of Clarion Hospital and Butler Memorial.  “The renovations are a welcome enhancement to the prehospital services offered at Clarion Hospital.”

Renovations to the patient registration areas help to enhance patient privacy during the check-in process.  Updated furnishings in the ED waiting areas provide added comfort to patients and families during their visit. 

Annually, the Independence Health System hospitals, including Clarion, Butler Memorial, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland, see more than 139,000 emergency department visits.  Clarion Hospital is served by a skilled team of dedicated nurses and physicians.  In addition, the hospital is home to its own ambulance service offering the community prehospital emergency medical services. To learn more about Independence Health System, visit www.Independence.Health.

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Nationally recognized for quality care, Independence Health System comprises Butler Memorial, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals with a combined bed count of 925.  With more than 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers and 7,300 employees, the System is now the third largest in western Pennsylvania serving a population base of 750,000 in a footprint spanning more than 10 counties.

The System includes tertiary programs that are rated among America’s best for cardiac care and surgery by Healthgrades in its Top 100 and Top 50 designations, and one of only five in Pennsylvania to achieve a five-star rating in cardiac surgery. In similar fashion, the prestigious Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) bestowed its top three-star rating. Historically, less than 10 percent of programs within the STS data base achieve this elite standing. The hospitals of Independence Health System also have earned a host of accolades from such prestigious outlets and sources as US News and World Report, Newsweek Magazine, the American College of Radiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Surgeons, the Joint Commission, Leapfrog and the American Heart/Stroke Association.

Locally owned and locally controlled, Independence Health System offers its patients low-cost, high-quality care across the care spectrum in such specialties as cardiology, cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, women’s health and obstetrics, emergency medicine, behavioral health and primary care. Its network of outpatient centers sees more than 1.2 million visits annually. The homecare division further supports patients at all stages of life with home health and hospice services. 

Independence Health System continues to change the healthcare landscape in western Pennsylvania by meeting patient needs through superb physician expertise, outstanding nursing, the latest in technology and programmatic depth.

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