Arnold Palmer Hospital Emergency Department Turns 10
Orlando, FL (January 30, 2017) – This month, the emergency department at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children celebrates 10 years of helping critically ill and seriously injured patients. Since opening its doors in 2007, nearly 500,000 children have been treated by the department team. With 33 beds, Arnold Palmer Hospital is home to Central Florida’s only pediatric Level I Trauma Center and is one of the busiest children’s emergency departments in the state.
More than 120 Orlando Health team members work in this department, including 10 pediatric emergency physicians and nearly 60 nurses. “I’m truly honored to have been part of setting the vision and establishing the protocols for this great community resource 12 years ago,” said Mark Clark, MD, medical director of the children’s emergency department at Arnold Palmer Hospital. “Our team can provide emergency care to children with any medical condition, as we have all the resources and expertise to handle any case, no matter how complex or critical. Parents can receive great comfort in knowing we are here for their children if the need ever arises."
Serving Central Florida and beyond for a decade, the team at Arnold Palmer Hospital attends to children in life-threatening emergency situations, such as the 2014 daycare incident. Many long-time team members received national recognition for their care of the young boy featured in the 2014 Thank You Project video.
“I’m proud to work alongside so many talented team members who are passionate about saving children’s lives. We work together 24/7 to help comfort, treat and heal each child that comes through our doors,” said Donald Plumley, MD, chief quality officer and pediatric surgeon at Arnold Palmer Hospital.
In 2016 alone, approximately 2,800 patients were transported to the emergency department via emergency medical services and 90 were flown in via air care. Although the emergency department sees patients with many different kinds of injuries and illnesses, some of the most common visits have been for the following reasons:
- Fever / viral illness
- Vomiting / diarrhea
- Cough / congestion
- Ear infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizure
- Falls
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Abdominal pain
- Broken bones
Arnold Palmer Hospital is a not-for-profit facility that relies on support from the community. Named in honor of a leadership gift from the Bert Martin Foundation, the Bert Martin’s Champions for Children Emergency Department & Trauma Center was funded through philanthropic donations totaling $11 million.
About Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children is a 158-bed facility dedicated exclusively to the needs of children. Located in Orlando, Arnold Palmer Hospital provides expertise in pediatric specialties such as cardiac care, craniomaxillofacial surgery, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pulmonology and sports medicine. The Bert Martin’s Champions for Children Emergency Department & Trauma Center at Arnold Palmer Hospital is part of the only Level One Trauma Center in the area, and is the first facility in Central Florida to provide emergency care exclusively for pediatric patients. Visit www.arnoldpalmerhospital.com to learn more about all of our specialties.
