CHCW and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital joined forces in a collaborative effort to provide a higher level of care locally for children in our region who were very sick, and thus needing hospitalization. This Pediatric Hospitalist Service, led by Dr. Kerry Harthcock, allows children to stay in our community to receive their care, surrounded by family and loved ones. Because the Pediatric Hospitalist partnership provides consistent inpatient physician expertise, kids who otherwise might need to be transferred for care are now able to receive advanced care here in Yakima…their home. Outlying areas in our region benefit too, as this highly effective and efficient service allows residents access to care.
This new service is indeed meeting its goals, while also decreasing the length of stay, and subsequent cost for care for our pediatric patients. The number of children admitted for a hospital stay who reside in more remote areas of our region has increased, thus providing medical services that were previously not available in Yakima and Kittitas Counties. Communication between the Pediatric Hospitalist Service and families, upon discharge, ensures continuity of care for the patient. The service provides Pediatric Hospitalist coverage 24 hours per day, seven days a week. As Sandy Dahl, Memorial Hospital Vice President for Patient Care Services, says, “We are so pleased about the quality of the services provided, and could not have a better partner than CHCW!”