Western Maryland State Hospital
| Western Maryland State Hospital | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Established | March 18, 1943 |
| Opened | 1957 |
| Current Status | Active |
| Building Style | Single Building |
| Location | Hagerstown, MD |
| Alternate Names |
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History[edit]
Western Maryland State Hospital, was authorized by Chapter 53, Acts of 1952, and was established in 1957 with B. Lyon, M.D. as Chief Physician. It had facilities for 298 patients. Staff: 1965, 261; Staff: 1966, 270.
Western Maryland Hospital Center is known throughout Maryland for providing specialty healthcare services tailored to improving the quality of life of individuals with a variety of needs, in a caring, family atmosphere.
With over 40 years of service, the patient and family have remained the focus of the WMHC care. The Center, through its interdisciplinary team of professionals, focuses on the patient's independence and wellness, physically --- mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Hospital and Comprehensive Care Programs are fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
The Western Maryland Hospital Center is located on the north side of Hagerstown on 13 beautifully wooded acres. On March 18, 1943, the Maryland State Legislature approved a bill establishing chronic disease hospitals in Maryland. Years later, on Veterans Day, 1957, WMHC opened its doors to serve the citizens of Maryland.
Over the years, WMHC has been changing, constantly updating and improving services for its patients. With WMHC's staff of physicians, medical specialty consultants, expert nursing professionals and rehabilitation specialists, Western Maryland Hospital Center offers an attractive transitional step between the acute care hospital and home.
The Western Maryland Hospital Center features four programs --- Comprehensive Care, Medical/Pulmonary, Rehabilitation and Renal Dialysis. For the comprehensive care patients, WMHC makes every effort to provide the residents with a family atmosphere. The services provided within this program include, but are not limited to botanical gardens with wheelchair accessible pathways, a unique patient computer lab complete with internet access, all therapy services, a beauty shop, ceramic classes, community outings, a library, gift shop and non-denominational church services.
The Medical/Pulmonary program operates one of the largest ventilator care programs in the post-acute care continuum in Maryland. The service offered within this program, includes, but is not limited to ventilator care management, ventilator independence, pulmonary disease management, wound management, multi-system failure including the need for renal dialysis management, post coronary artery bypass management, isolation needs and care of the dying and supportive care.
WMHC features physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology programs that aggressively work with the patients to achieve maximum independence. The WMHC program also features a unique transitional living suite for those preparing for a return to their homes or lower level of care. With the assistance of its cutting-edge WMHC Therapeutic Recreation Department, WMHC focuses on helping the residents return home with its Community Re-Entry? Program.
WMHC's Dialysis Unit offers inpatient and outpatient hemodialysis and abdominal peritonial dialysis. The staff consists of all registered nurses, averaging over 20 years of dialysis experience. Unique services of the WMHC program include, but are not limited to the nutritious meals, medical staff on-site during dialysis treatments, state-of-the-art equipment and therapies available.[1]
Images of Western Maryland State Hospital[edit]
Main Image Gallery: Western Maryland State Hospital
