Broward Health

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Contents

[edit] Introduction

Broward Health, formerly the North Broward Hospital District, is the fifth-largest public hospital system in the U.S.[1] Located in Broward County, Florida, Broward Health has the county’s first certified stroke center and only liver transplant program[2]. Broward Health currently operates more than 30 healthcare facilities, including Broward General Medical Center, North Broward Medical Center, Imperial Point Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center, Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, and Broward Health Weston.

[edit] History of Broward Health

[edit] The Beginnings of Consolidated Healthcare in Broward County

In the land boom of the 1920s, the Wallace Apartments were converted into the Edwards-Maxwell Hospital, the first hospital in Broward County[3]. Soon, the land boom busted, followed by the September 1926 hurricane, one of the worst in county history. Due to lack of patients able to pay for care, the hospital was forced to close in 1929. It was reopened by Juanita Clay in 1932, and remained successful until it was purchased in 1937 by Medical Services, Inc., an insurance company owned by Dr. F.A. Brunson and M.L. Menger[3]. Medical Services issued hospital and family insurance policies that required the use of their own hospital and doctors. The Broward County medical community rebelled, refusing to use the Medical Services hospital.

In May 1937, the Broward County Medical Association (BCMA) met to discuss plans to build a public hospital, feeling that private hospitals could not be relied upon for continuity of service and only a community-owned hospital would offer security[3]. The consensus of the meeting was to build a hospital supported by the city, county, or a hospital district. The result of the meeting was a unanimous motion to form the Broward Hospital Association (BHA). From that point on, the BHA began its mission to raise the funds needed to build a hospital. The Chairman, James D. Camp, as well as the other members, explored every possibility of finding funds; however, government-assisted funding simply wasn’t available. During this time, the county was experiencing such rapid growth, the need for facilities became critical[3].

[edit] Broward General Opens

After a long search, it was agreed that the Granada apartments[3][4] could be remodeled into a hospital that would accommodate 45 patients, with room for acceptable operating rooms, delivery rooms, laboratories, and x-ray space.

Members of the community also joined in. Many donated their work at cost, contributing their fees to the "hospital fund." A "drive" was also implemented and equipment donated. The 45-bed hospital opened its doors as the new Broward General Hospital (now Broward General Medical Center) and admitted its first patient on January 2, 1938[4].

Between 1935 and 1940, the population of Broward County grew from 20,000 to approximately 30,000[4]. To keep up with the growth, the addition of a new wing was crucial, but without funding the expansion was difficult. Camp approached the city commission in 1940 about the need for expansion and received favorable response for a new wing. In 1942, a South Wing was added; in 1948, the East Wing was built, raising the bed total at Broward General to 142[4].

In 1949, the Hospital Board returned to the City Commission to ask for funds for another wing. This time the City Commission denied the request. As a result, Camp and all members of the Board resigned[3].

[edit] The Birth of the District

In August 1950, the Broward General Hospital Board succeeded in obtaining approval of an expansion program. A legislative act for a North Broward Hospital District was approved in 1952 by referendum and a District Board was appointed by the governor with William J. Kelly as chairman[4].

Soon thereafter plans for a building on the west side were underway. The West Wing plans included two floors for patients, a new surgical unit, new kitchen and dining space to be connected to the North Wing of the hospital by a hallway. In 1955, a new lab was opened and on September 3, 1957, the City of Fort Lauderdale gave a deed of conveyance to the North Broward Hospital District. Its area of responsibility stretched the width of the county, from the Dania Canal north to the Palm Beach County line[4].

In 1961, an additional specialty wing brought the bed total to 468, plus 50 bassinets. The North Tower and ten-story elevator building opened in 1967; the South Tower in 1970.

[edit] The District Expands

[edit] North Broward Medical Center

By 1960, population in Broward County grew to 350,000[4]. Responding to the growth of the county, the District built a three-story hospital on Sample Road in Pompano Beach, Florida[5][6]. The first patient was admitted to the new North Broward Hospital in March 1961[5]. Over the years, six more floors and a conference center were added[6]. Today, the 409-bed facility is an adult Level II trauma center providing care for more than 50,000 medical emergencies and 14,000 hospitalized patients.

[edit] Imperial Point Medical Center

Imperial Point Medical Center opened in November 1972. Its 22 acres of land[7] at the 204-bed community hospital were granted to the city of Fort Lauderdale for a community park, and today hosts a fitness area and playground.

[edit] Coral Springs Medical Center

Coral Springs Medical Center opened its doors in March 1987. This 200-bed facility, located in Coral Springs, Florida, hosts Camp KoralKids, created in 1995, a summer day camp for children with Type-I diabetes—the only day camp of its kind in South Florida. It has since developed into a two-week camp that annually serves over 60 children[8].

[edit] Broward Health Weston

Responding to a "decade of complaints from [Weston] residents unhappy about having to drive 20 minutes to reach a hospital"[9], Broward Health opened Broward Health Weston (formerly Weston Regional HealthPark) on June 11, 2000[10]. The entire project, including the 78,000-square-foot building and the 10-acre land acquisition, cost $27 million[10].

[edit] Chris Evert Children’s Hospital

The Chris Evert Children’s Hospital at Broward General, named after Broward native Chris Evert, is one of less than 200 facilities recognized in the United States by the National Association of Children's Hospitals[11]. In 2006, the children’s hospital opened a newly renovated, expanded pediatric sedation unit, the only one in Broward County[12]. The pediatric sedation unit specializes in the safest techniques for pediatric sedation. In November 2007, the Chris Evert Children’s Hospital at Broward General received the Ernest Amory Codman Award for their advances in pediatric sedation[13].


[edit] Broward Health Today

Broward Health is the fifth-largest public hospital system in the U.S.[1]. It has over 7,000 employees, making it one of the largest companies in South Florida[14].

Broward Health services all segments of the community through its four hospitals, a children’s hospital, seven primary care centers, four Family Health Places, eight school-based clinics, specialty care programs, home-health services, health education programs, free and low-cost screenings, and business partnerships.

[edit] Advances in Healthcare

Recently, Broward General Medical Center received the Joint Commission's Ernest Amory Codman Award, which recognizes "excellence in the use of outcomes measurement to achieve improvements in the quality and safety of health care"[13]. Broward General received the award for producing better outcomes related to sedating children for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The process reduced the failed sedation rate by 98 percent by using a more effective sedative and initiating a standard protocol to reduce failed sedation, in addition to creating a soothing atmosphere for children[13].

[edit] Hospital Statistics

1965 1970 1980 1990 2000 2007
Admissions
Broward General Medical Center 16,907 23,570 24,826 19,882 21,848
North Broward Medical Center 2,800 3,903 4,596 5,580 3,571
Imperial Point Medical Center 0 0 4,900 5,057 6,579
Coral Springs Medical Center 0 0 0 7,505 11,056
Totals 22,331 30,644 40,546 40,544 53,232 62,209
Births
Broward General Medical Center 2,800 3,903 4,596 5,580 3,571
North Broward Medical Center 0 0 0 0 0
Imperial Point Medical Center 0 0 0 0 0
Coral Springs Medical Center 0 0 0 2,095 2,107
Totals 2,800 3,903 4,596 7,675 5,678 5,939
Beds
Broward General Medical Center 469 669 680 744 744 716
North Broward Medical Center 151 204 310 409 409 409
Imperial Point Medical Center 0 0 204 204 204 204
Coral Springs Medical Center 0 0 0 200 200 200
Totals 620 873 1,194 1,557 1,557 1,529

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b (2007, June 11). 10 Largest Public Healthcare Systems. Modern Healthcare. p. 31
  2. ^ Levine, A. (2007, October 1). District Has New Identity; Name Change Signifies Overall Progress. South Florida Sun-Sentinel. p. A29.
  3. ^ a b c d e f (1988, April/May). The Hospitals in Broward: Past/Present/Future. Profit Magazine. pp. 22–24.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Moss, D. (1968, September). Broward General Hospital...Growing Medical Center. Fort Lauderdale Magazine. pp. 26-39.
  5. ^ a b (1979, August 8). North Broward Hospital. The Hi-Riser West. p. 8.
  6. ^ a b Kennedy, R.L. (1977). North Broward Hospital Statistics Report, January – December 1976.
  7. ^ Fidler, J. E. (1977). Imperial Point Hospital Statistics Report, January – December 1976.
  8. ^ (2001, November 9). Healthcare Awards: Coral Springs Medical Center Camp Koralkids. South Florida Business Journal. Vol. 22, No. 13; p. S6.
  9. ^ LaMendola, B. (2000, June 10). Clinic to give Weston a boost. Sun-Sentinel South Broward Edition. Local, p 1B.
  10. ^ a b Bender, J.P. (2000, May 19). $27 million Weston HealthPark to offer myriad services. South Florida Business Journal, Vol. 20, No. 40; p. 3A.
  11. ^ Yahinian, A. (2003, September 28). Evert Unveils New Entrance. Sun-Sentinel. Community News; p. 3.
  12. ^ Cuello, M. (2006, September 7). The ultimate in pediatric sedation. Westside Gazette. Vol. 35, No. 27; HEALTH; p. 5B.
  13. ^ a b c Powers, K. (2007, November 06). The Joint Commission Recipients of 2007 Ernest Amory Codman Awards. http://www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/nr_Codman+2007+all+recipients.htm. Accessed 11-19-07.
  14. ^ (2006). Largest Public Sector (Government and Tax Assisted) in Broward County. The Broward Alliance http://www.browardalliance.org/pdf/Largest_Public_Sector_(Government_and_Tax_Assisted).pdf (SOURCE: South Florida Business Journal)