EAST CHICAGO, IN – St. Catherine Hospital dedicated a new, 36-bed Intermediate Care Unit on Tuesday, March 22, in keeping with its mission to deliver extraordinary, high-quality care to patients in East Chicago and the surrounding communities.
The $2.7 million inpatient Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), now located on the sixth floor, was designed with enhanced aesthetic features, patient comfort amenities and critical care efficiencies for patients. An IMCU delivers care to patients whose conditions require more specialized care and a longer hospital stay.
Hospital administration held a ribbon cutting and blessing with East Chicago dignitaries and local clergy. The new IMCU will open to patients March 29.
“Our hospital has experienced steady growth in the need for IMCU services over the past few years, and we expect that to continue,” said Leo Correa, CEO, St. Catherine Hospital. “We are well-positioned to accommodate the needs of patients who require complex care now and in the future.”
“This project demonstrates the dedication of St. Catherine Hospital to care for the health of patients in East Chicago and surrounding locales in a modern facility,” said Edward Williams, Ph.D., president of St. Catherine Hospital Board of Directors.
The suites feature new cabinetry and recliners, individual climate control features, LED light fixtures, wood grain laminate flooring, soundproof ceiling tiles and private, mosaic-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers and raised toilets. Each room offers an expansive view of Washington Park, the Harbor or South Lobby campus.
“All design decisions – from the material used on the walls and ceilings to the air handling system – reinforce our commitment to deliver care in a quiet, safe and healing environment,” said Chief Nursing Officer Nina Stur. “This expansion prepares us for the growing number of complex cases as the population ages.”
Coinciding with the IMCU expansion is the renovation of the Emergency Department (ED), often a first point of entry for patients in need of critical care. The ED rooms offer updated fixtures and counters, LED lighting with dimmers and wood grain laminate flooring. The expanded nurses’ station features glass panels and sound-proofing.
“These projects are an example of our commitment to the community and support St. Catherine Hospital’s mission of providing five-star quality care to our patients,” Correa said.
To learn more about Community Healthcare System and St. Catherine Hospital, visit COMHS.org
