Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital Opens Pediatric Observation Unit in Partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital

Zeeland, Mich., August 13, 2020 – Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital is excited to announce the opening of a pediatric observation unit in partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (HDVCH). This new unit will provide access to highly reliable pediatric care.

The program provides designated rooms within the hospital emergency department for pediatric observation. Pediatric patients who meet established criteria will be observed in the unit for a maximum of 24 hours rather than being admitted. Regional providers will then partner with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital physicians on the initial care plan for each child as needed, based on the child’s progress.

“We are so pleased to have the pediatric observation program at Zeeland Community Hospital,” said Linda Schaltz, chief nursing officer, Zeeland Community Hospital. “This partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital enables us to provide seamless, convenient, safe and exceptional care for our families.

“Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital focuses on treating our patients with the most appropriate care, closest to home,” Schaltz said. “The pediatric observation program is designed to provide advanced care through our connection with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, yet minimize the stress and financial burden by avoiding a transfer to Grand Rapids, when possible.”

In critical cases, or if a patient’s symptoms fall outside the criteria to stay for observation, the patient will be transferred to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for specialized pediatric care.

A celebration of partnership was held on Monday, August 10 with a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony on Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital’s Facebook page.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is a 234-bed regional referral center and teaching hospital that also houses a pediatric neurocritical care unit, the only of such kind in West Michigan. It offers advanced pediatric specialty care with more than 300 pediatric physicians who practice in more than 50 pediatric specialties and programs. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is Michigan’s largest neonatal center.

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Alexis Bolo Neal
Senior Communications Specialist
Email: alexis.boloneal@corewellhealth.org