Long-Term Care Center Opens at Bellaire Hospital
By JOSELYN KINGArticle Photos
WHEELING - A long-term acute care facility has opened at Belmont Community Hospital, resulting in a $1.2 million investment and about 60 new jobs there, according to hospital officials.
Ronald L. Violi, chief executive officer for Wheeling Hospital, said it is only the beginning, as Wheeling Hospital intends to put more emphasis on its Bellaire operations.
"Our intention is to bring more of the same to Belmont Community Hospital," he said. "We're looking to put more services and money into the hospital, and this is long overdue. There hasn't been any money put into the hospital for years and years.
"At one time, this was a busy hospital. But people didn't devote the resources to the hospital that they should have," he added.
A formal opening took place Monday for Acuity Specialty Hospital - Bellaire, owned and operated by Acuity Specialty Hospitals - Ohio Valley. The company is leasing the second floor of Belmont Community Hospital.
The long-term care facility will take in patients with complex medical problems that require intensive, specialized care for extended periods of time - typically 20 to 30 days, according to hospital officials.
The Bellaire facility opened Jan. 5 and on Monday had 12 patients in its care, said Judy Weaver, chief operating officer of Acuity Specialty Hospital - Bellaire. She noted that thus far, 25 nurses have been hired for the facility, as well as 15 respiratory therapists and 20 patient care technicians. It is expected as many as 75 health care professionals will eventually work in the long-term care hospital.
In addition to paying rental fees to Belmont Community Hospital, Acuity will purchase laboratory, imaging, surgery, pharmacy, dietary, housekeeping and maintenance services from the hospital.
"We take care of very, very sick patients," said Ed Cooper, president and chief executive officer of Acuity Health Care, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. "But fortunately, there are not that many."
About 2 percent of patients admitted to hospitals need extended care, according to Cooper. Acuity works in collaboration with facilities such as Wheeling Hospital to move such patients to long-term care once their condition has stabilized.
Cooper said the path to bring Acuity to Bellaire took more than three years, and he said many legal hurdles had existed. He credited U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio, and Wilson's staff legal counsel, Christopher Gagin, with helping Acuity to clear those obstacles.
"These are jobs that can't be shipped overseas," Wilson said while at the site Monday. "They are here, and they will stay here."
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acousticportal
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02-16-10 1:30 PM
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....without proper training, certifications, licensures, etc.
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acousticportal
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02-16-10 12:27 PM
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60 new jobs in health care and health care support...one example of the employment trend of our region. Steelworkers, coal miners, glass blowers, whip makers, and pony express drivers need not apply.
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