Since Nebraska Medicine began its 24/7 trauma service three years ago, the need for a dedicated inpatient unit to care for trauma patients has been growing. Renovation work has finished on Clarkson Tower’s ninth floor and the new 9Trauma unit there is now open.
“This unit is a very important part of continuing to make this medical center a regional leader in trauma care,” said P.J. Schenarts, M.D., trauma medical director at Nebraska Medicine and professor of surgery at UNMC. “The expertise and teamwork needed to stabilize patients in the emergency department and in the operating rooms is now rounded out with a hospital unit dedicated to the healing of trauma patients.”
The unit’s opening is the latest step in a campuswide effort to replace shared, or “semi-private” rooms with private patient rooms by the end of 2017.
“The private room arrangement is so much better for our patients and their families,” said Dennis Bierle, chief operating officer. “Having a roommate while you’re in the hospital is not an ideal experience and we’re changing that for the better.”
“With our previous arrangement, our trauma patients were scattered throughout the medical center in 14 different units,” said trauma surgeon Lisa Schlitzkus, M.D., “Putting our expert care in the same location is better for our staff, physicians and patients.”
Other efforts around campus include new inpatient units in the The Lied Transplant Center, and of course the new oncology units at the C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital inside the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Efforts continue in Clarkson Tower with the renovation of 8Tele which will become the new Cardiac Progressive Care Unit in mid-October.
Thanks to Nebraska Medicine for supporting our trauma service. And a very special thank you to the nurses and staff on those many different units for many years of providing excellent and compassionate care to the injured patients and their families.
"The Univ of Nebraska Trauma Team"