WINCHESTER, Ky. (September 26, 2023) – Clark Regional Medical Center today broke ground on an expansion for the intensive care unit (ICU). The expansion signifies a 75% increase in capacity for the ICU, adding six beds to the eight that are currently available. The new construction also includes build-out space for a new surgical suite, enabling Clark Regional to expand surgery as the needs of the community demand.
“We’re really excited about this growth and what it means for not only Winchester, but also for other communities in our area,” said Matt Smith, CEO of Clark Regional Medical Center. “When you nearly double the capacity of higher-level care, it really steps up both the number and the type of patient you can keep right here, close to home.”
The $4 million expansion will allow more patients to stay in the community rather than have to be transferred into Lexington or other hospitals.
“This expansion means that more of the patients who come into our Emergency Department are going to find the care they need at Clark Regional,” said Dr. Bruce Kostelnik, medical director for the emergency department at CRMC. “Having that space means they are also more quickly able to access the level of care they need, rather than having the waits or delays that sometimes occur when we have to transfer a patient.”
The ceremonial groundbreaking was held on the site of the expansion, where actual construction is already underway with an anticipated open date of March 2024. “We’re providing not only care that is convenient and close to home, but it’s also high-quality.” said Dr. Twana Hatton, chair of the department of medicine. “We were one of only a four hospitals in the state to receive a Leapfrog grade of A—one of many of metrics that shows the kind of quality we’re able to provide here.”
