Enhancing diagnostic testing to meet growing demands

VHC Health’s commitment to patient care extends beyond expanding beds and physician offices.

“We recognize the vital role diagnostics play in accurate and timely medical decisions. Challenges such as a shortage of qualified lab technologists and heavy workloads complicate the recruitment and retention of top talent,” said Valery Keyi, MBA, MT (ASCP), Administrative Director of Pathology.” That is why we are investing in the future of our Pathology Department, which conducts millions of diagnostics tests annually for the Washington, DC metropolitan region.”

VHC Health’s multi-phase plan will ensure growing demand for diagnostic services is met:

Phase 1: Optimized lab space

A complete renovation will create a modern, efficient work space to streamline workflow and support our growing needs.

Phase 2: Advanced technology

Cutting-edge equipment and automation will be integrated to deliver faster, more accurate test results—leading to earlier diagnoses and quicker treatment plans for our patients.

Phase 3: Seamless integration & training

This phase will incorporate new tools into our workflow and provide comprehensive training for our 130 highly skilled laboratory scientists and pathologists. Their expertise is critical, as lab results inform 70% of medical decisions.

By investing in the future of diagnostics, VHC Health is committed to providing the best possible care for each person.

Elevating patient care through VHC Health’s 4B unit upgrade

VHC Health is transforming its inpatient units to enhance patient care, with a focus on those transitioning from intensive care who require close monitoring. The 3A, 3B, 4B Patient Unit Renovation Project is comprised of approximately 49,000 square feet of existing medical office space to be converted to inpatient care units, including 65 new intermediate-care/ICU-stepdown patient rooms.

Scheduled to open in October 2024, unit 4B will be a state-of-the-art medical and pulmonary stepdown unit. Upgrades to units 3A and 3B will be completed in January 2025. Unit 3A will cater to cardiac and surgical cases, including those needing post-open heart surgery care, and will absorb the current CV Stepdown. Unit 3B will focus on trauma and surgical cases.

Each unit will offer personalized environments with private rooms featuring their own bathrooms, wall-mounted charting stations, and home-like amenities such as large TVs and sleeper sofas.

“The unit will be prepared to handle an increased patient influx, especially those with infectious diseases, thanks to features that support infection isolation,” said Richard J. Krumenacker, PE, Vice President, Facilities, Construction & Health System Services.

Meeting the community’s emergency care needs

A $47 million capital investment will significantly expand the capacity of VHC Health’s emergency department. Scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024 with phased comple-tions through September 2026, this expansion will increase the emergency department’s capacity by 45% and include a dedicated behavioral health crisis center. Additionally, the Intensive Care Unit will grow by 40%, adding 17 more beds, and the facility will see the con-struction of two state-of-the-art hybrid cardiac/catheterization lab procedure rooms.