Jan. 25, 2020 7:50p
(WGTD)---The critical care unit at Froedtert Kenosha Hospital near the downtown area closed last week, the apparent result of the continuation of a realignment of services within the Froedtert Hospital network.
For one thing, the closure means that patients with heart issues that normally would be transported by Kenosha Fire Dept. rescue squad to the Sheridan Rd. facility are being diverted to the ER at Froedtert's hospital in Pleasant Prairie which continues to operate an ICU, according to Jim Poltrock, Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services for the department. "It's going to impact our operations but it's certainly something we can deal with," Poltrock said.
If the directive would've been in place last year, between 60 and 65 patients would've been affected by the change, according to Poltrock. The two hospitals are six miles apart.
Poltrock says the department was informed of the CCU closure two weeks ago.
Calls by WGTD to Froedtert spokespeople in both Kenosha and Milwaukee were not returned last week.
Poltrock said it's his understanding that the level of Emergency Room care at the Kenosha facility will not be affected by the discontinuation of the CCU there.
Poltrock says he's also been informed by Froedtert that the Pleasant Prairie hospital, formerly St. Catherine's, will soon be able to accept trauma patients that normally would be flown for specialized care to Froedtert's main campus in suburban Milwaukee. "I think that will be a great benefit for the community," he said.
Poltrock said the creation of the planned Level II trauma center could be in place by the end of the year.
Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital, under United Hospital System ownership, was built in 2001. It's been expanded three times since then, the last addition coming two years ago with the creation of a surgical center.
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