Bethany Children's Health Center pumps millions into complex care renovation

BETHANY, Okla. (KFOR) - Bethany Children's Health Center is getting ready to unveil a multi-million dollar project they say will enhance care for some of the facility's most vulnerable patients.

"I would tell you, we've lovingly cared for these spaces and we're still able to deliver high quality patient care in these," said Dr. Michael Johnson, M.D., MBA, CPE, FAAP, a Board-Certified pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer of the facility.

But after 25 years, Johnson said the $10 million renovation project of the hospital’s Complex Care Units in the Donald W. Reynolds Complex was much needed.

"[We serve] those who have some of the most complex needs, those who require ventilatory support and so forth. And before these renovations, we were a bit limited in where we could serve those patients. Now, with these renovations, we've expanded that capacity and it really opens up a lot of options for us to not only grow in the number of patients we can serve, but also where we can place them," he added.

The first four of the units will be unveiled this week, while the hospital has plans for all 12 units to be completely renovated by the end of the year.

Many long-term patients at the hospital need round-the-clock care and can stay two to three years at the the only inpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma.

Johnson said the multi-phase renovation of the unit, along with construction of a new Outpatient Tower and the integration of innovative Smart Home and ZeroG 3D technologies will greatly improve a patient's overall quality of life.

"We have redesigned these spaces to better accommodate some of the new things that we're doing. And we've implemented new technologies in these spaces, created more storage and really space for families and patients to call this home while they're here with us," Johnson added.

According to the Center, improvements to Complex Care Units include bedside lifts for every room, special head walls for each bed with TV and entertainment systems, and greater storage space for patients.

Some of the funding for the renovation of the Complex Care Units came from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Bethany Children’s Health Center received $2 million for the revovation of the center's complex care units, following the passage of House Bill 2943.

The measure also earmarked $4 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities for construction of a new home to be located by Mercy Hospital in north Oklahoma City.

"These new spaces are very exciting for us because it's a demonstration of our commitment to providing excellence in our care," said Johnson.