St. Luke’s University Health Network has expanded the Pediatric Inpatient Unit and relocated it adjacent to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. Luke’s University Hospital - Bethlehem.

The new 17-bed unit includes state-of-the-art technology, overnight space for parents, including couches and TVs, private bathrooms and showers in each room, a playroom with interactive toys and afternoon quite hours.

“We remain committed to providing the same quality of care that our patients and families have grown to trust from St. Luke’s Pediatrics in this new unit,” said Laurel A. Erikson-Parsons, MD, Medical Director, St. Luke’s Pediatric Inpatient Unit.

In addition to the new design and child-friendly décor, the inpatient unit has 24/7 hospital coverage, support from pediatric-trained respiratory therapists and specialty- trained pediatric nurses, pharmacists and pediatric surgeons.

With the relocation, the Pediatric Inpatient Unit is next to the eight-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for patients who may need a higher level of care.

“We will continue collaborating with St. Luke’s growing number of pediatric specialists and the care team of the Pediatric Inpatient Unit, for consultation and management of complex conditions,” said Christopher Plymire, MD, Medical Director, St. Luke’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. “Having the Inpatient Unit adjacent to the PICU allows us to provide even more efficient quality care for children and their families.”

The opening of the Pediatric Inpatient Unit comes on the heels of the May opening of St. Luke’s Pediatric Specialty Center, the region’s first and only free-standing facility dedicated entirely to children. The Network also recently announced its membership in the Children’s Hospital Association, a national organization of hospitals and health systems committed to pediatric health care.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony held June 16, Jessika Haynos, Service Line Administrator, St. Luke’s Pediatrics, said, “Between our hospital services and outpatient services, families are able to stay local to receive quality care for their children, eliminating the need to travel for evaluations, treatments, critical care or follow-up care.”