Summerville Medical Center Plans Pediatric Expansion

Press Release, Summerville Medical 

Summerville Medical Center has announced pivotal upgrades for pediatric services within the hospital. By mid-summer, a 4,000-square-foot addition to the Emergency Department and a 3,500-square-foot unit on the second-floor will be ready for children up to 17 years old.

Rooms will have child-friendly artwork, colors and lighting as well as features like TVs and gaming systems to make it easier for young patients to pass the time. SMC will have a pediatrician immediately available at the hospital (a pediatric hospitalist) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Our community deserves great care for children, here close to home,” says SMC CEO Lou Caputo.

The planned Emergency Department addition includes extra entrance bays, allowing children to be kept separate from adult patients from the time they arrive. The new inpatient pediatric unit also will be set off from rooms for adult patients and will be grouped on the second floor with women’s services and the nursery. It will include a communal play area, where children can spend time with family members or child life specialists, and a procedure room for distressing situations such as shots and IV placement. That way, the child’s room remains a “safe haven” for healing. 

“The new department will give our patients 24-hour access to pediatric trained physicians right here in our community,” said pediatrician Dr. Colleen Boylston.