New Pediatric Care Center to Offer 24/7 Services on Newark Campus

To transform the care of pediatric patients in our community, ChristianaCare will open a Pediatric Care Center in fall 2022 that will provide 24/7 combined short-stay inpatient and emergency care. The new center will be located on the first floor of the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health on ChristianaCare’s Newark campus.

ChristianaCare’s Pediatric Care Center will have seven beds for emergency care and seven beds for short-stay inpatient and observation care. Above is a rendering of a patient room.

“This new approach to pediatric care will make it easier than ever for families and children to receive excellent care when they need it, in a special space that’s just for them,” said Sharon Kurfuerst, Ed.D., OTR/L, FACHE, system chief operating officer and president of ChristianaCare Union Hospital.

Sharon Kurfuerst, Ed.D., OTR/L, FACHE

“Pediatric patients have unique needs. Our new Pediatric Care Center will make it convenient for them to receive dedicated, expert resources for hospital-based, non-trauma emergency and inpatient care all in one location.”

ChristianaCare projects the 24-hour Pediatric Care Center will be able to evaluate and manage 90% of the pediatric cases currently seen in the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department.

The center expects to care for an estimated 6,300 patients the first year, with volume projected to grow 5% each year.

The Pediatric Care Center will also provide expert care to children and adolescents with behavioral health emergency needs and provide appropriate referral sources for follow-up care.

“The creation of this new facility is an exciting step in our continued journey to create the absolute best care for children and families,” said David Paul, M.D., chair of Pediatrics.

The Pediatric Care Center will be staffed by ChristianaCare pediatric hospitalists and pediatric emergency physicians. Above is rendering of a patient and family waiting area.

“This center will significantly improve access to care for children, enhance the patient experience and enable us to address the needs of families who desire efficient, quality care in a child-friendly environment.”

David Paul, M.D.

The 8,400 square-foot facility will provide seven beds for emergency care and seven beds for short-stay inpatient and observation care. Locating these spaces next to each other will create operational efficiencies, enabling the same staff to provide 24-hour coverage for both emergency and inpatient care.

The center will be staffed by ChristianaCare pediatric hospitalists and pediatric emergency physicians who have been serving the unique needs of this patient population with expertise for many years.

The medical director of the Pediatric Care Center will be Megan Mickley, M.D., FAAP, FACEP. Dr. Mickley is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine and fellowship-trained in both Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Emergency Ultrasound.

Click here to find a ChristianaCare pediatrician near you.

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