Abington Health Lansdale Hospital

New power to heal.
By Alina Makhnovetsky

Abington Memorial Hospital Physicians Re-Create their Emergency Department Success & Care at Lansdale Hospital.

Within today’s tough economic climate and among constantly floundering health care policies, as well as, lack of sufficient funding, it isn’t at all surprising that smaller hospitals have been struggling to remain committed to the communities they serve. In November 2008, however, Central Montgomery Medical Center, now called Lansdale Hospital had a lucky break, to not only remain afloat, but also join in alliance with a renowned force in healthcare, Abington Memorial Hospital (AMH).

As of July 1st, Lansdale Hospital has improved the Emergency Department to fluently replicate emergency department facilities by adding AMH’s Emergency Department leader, namely Dr. Kendel G. Kidwell, MD, in a launch with countless benefits for the community. Proving terrific quality can still come in a smaller package.

For the last six months, Abington Memorial Hospital (AMH) has been planning for improvements to the 14,000 square foot emergency department in Lansdale Hospital—which includes 21 private patient rooms and the latest medical technology available—for its own 11 Emergency Medicine practicing physicians, who were hand-selected to transfer their expertise and a collective experience of over 80 years to Lansdale Hospital. Under the direction of Abington Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Medicine chair, Dr. Kendel G. Kidwell, MD, the transition went off without a hitch. Kidwell is a leading physician with over two decades of experience. His team is largely responsible for AMH’s own consistent 99% patient satisfaction rate, as well as, Montgomery County’s only level II trauma status, which was accredited by The Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) for outstanding resources immediately available among other stringent set of requirements and commitments.

“Through the eyes of an emergency physician this is the right layout, precisely what I look for in a modern ER department,” confirmed Dr. Andrew G. Ball, MD, a seasoned Emergency Medicine physician, and Dr. Kidwell’s right hand man, in the move. “The Emergency Room should be one big circle and feel nearly empty. Also, if done correctly it should not seem hectic, there should be no echo-effect,” noted Dr. Ball.

AMH selected the Lansdale facility since it is adjacent to the community the hospital is already serving, undoubtedly a smart business move. Yet, also because Lansdale Hospital, though it has been present in the community since its days as Elm Terrace Hospital in the 1930’s, underwent a massive renovation of the Emergency Department as Central Montgomery Medical Center, only a few short years ago. As the result of the elaborate reconstruction, Lansdale Hospital boasts the latest technology, modern layouts and most importantly, a patient care inspired atmosphere.

Incidentally, this is also the mindset Dr. Kidwell’s team hopes to replicate in the Emergency Department. “What we have been able to achieve at Abington is a source of pride for us, but it is also a tall order,” said Dr. Ball. “Our focus, our center has been and will remain on the patient. We strive to not only provide the right treatment and a premium level of care, but also minimize waiting. We watch every day, every month, how we are doing, this is critical to the development at Lansdale,” concluded Dr. Ball.

Lansdale Hospital is a 125-bed, acute care general hospital that is able to provide comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services on the campus located in Hatfield Township. There is also a 13-bed Acute Rehabilitation unit, a Sleep Care Unit and a Would Care Center and with over 700 employees and a staff of more than 300 active physicians. Lansdale may only initially seem like a small hospital.

In truth, Lansdale Hospital was always committed to providing excellent care to the North Penn community and with a helipad ride available to AMH’s trauma center and highly regarded physicians; the hospital has been able to achieve a new standard rarely available to health care providers of this size.

For their part, Lansdale Hospital has been avidly pursuing the support of the neighborhood. “The community seems to genuinely share in the excitement of all of this, there is a sense of warmth,” said Dr. Ball. Much of the community’s appeal also comes from Lansdale Hospital’s efforts in increased visibility. The hospital is involved in numerous fundraisers, community fairs and even takes time to provide blood pressure check-ups, among other healthcare options to their neighbors.

Although it has been nine months since AMH stepped in, Lansdale Hospital is already booming with a renewed dedication, determined to prove there is no shortage of care or expertise at this facility.

Abington Health Lansdale Hospital is located at 100 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale. For more information, call (215) 368-2100 or visit www.cmmc-uhs.com.

Alina Makhnovetsky is a freelance writer and lives in Philadelphia, PA.