A $6 million project adds beds, improved level of care at this Lee’s Summit hospital

Thanks to a 6,500-square-foot addition, Lee’s Summit Medical Center has the capacity to treat more critically ill patients through its expanded intensive-care unit. The new ICU helps meet a growing need for treatment of seriously ill or critically injured individuals while providing this care closer to many patients’ homes and support systems.

“Lee’s Summit Medical Center made a significant commitment to our community, building new programs, specialties, recruiting new doctors and staff to meet the growing need of this great community,” said Paige Baker, Lee’s Summit Medical Center’s chief nursing officer.

Work on the $6 million project began in August 2022 with the expanded ICU opening in May. In all, ICU beds at the medical center increased from 10 to 18.

Baker said conditions treated at the ICU vary but typically consist of life-threatening or very serious health issues such as pneumonia, cardiovascular issues, organ failure, breathing or lung complications, and injuries resulting from serious automobile accidents.

The expanded ICU includes larger rooms equipped with advanced monitoring of patients, specialized equipment, resources and support to treat complex, life-threatening medical conditions, Baker said. The renovation also features a second medication room, a second point-of-use room to keep resources close to all ICU rooms and a separate shower room for patients requiring a larger space than the bathroom/shower in the private rooms.

With the expansion, Lee’s Summit Medical Center added a second entrance from the hospital emergency room directly into the ICU for both quick access and more privacy as patients transfer from the ER to the ICU.

“Additionally, the ICU staff (members) are highly specialized caregivers, with a caregiver treating fewer patients due to the level of care they require,” she said.

Many patients relying on healthcare at the medical center live within the Lee’s Summit community or surrounding areas.

“So, having the ability to care for more patients makes a difference to many communities, some of whom would have otherwise been transferred further from their home community,” Baker said. “When a critically ill patient receives the healthcare they need close to home, the added benefit to their loved ones is the convenient opportunity to be more involved.”

Examples of this involvement include input on the patient’s history and care plan, additional family support and guidance on discharge options in their community.

“This level of family collaboration, input and support has proven to make a positive impact on their loved one’s care, long-term outcomes, which is especially important for critically ill patients,” she added.

The added ICU beds also benefit first responders, allowing them to more quickly access treatment for patients while getting the ambulance and crew back into service in a timely manner, Baker said.

Another recent addition at the Lee’s Summit Medical Center is the new CareNow Urgent Care facility, which opened in March. Later this year, construction will begin on a new $11 million ambulatory surgery center.

Lee’s Summit Medical Center has been at its location — 2100 S.E. Blue Parkway — since 2007 when it opened as a new 64-bed community hospital. As the community continued to grow, a new third floor addition was completed, increasing capacity to 88 beds.

The medical center has a long history in Lee’s Summit, opening its doors at 600 N.W. Murray in 1978 when it was originally known as Lee’s Summit Hospital. It is currently part of HCA Midwest Health.