Osceola Regional Medical Center to become comprehensive stroke center after $50 million investment

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A number of critical upgrades will be made at Osceola Regional Medical Center as part of a $50 million improvement project which will allow it to become a comprehensive stroke center.

Of the approximately 250 hospitals in Florida, only 40 meet the requirements of a comprehensive stroke center, which allows for the treatment of complicated stroke patients.

The hospital treats about 1,000 stroke patients a year, and the hope is that with advanced technology, doctors will be able to provide a higher level of care, stroke medical director Dr. Ankur Garg said.

“By having the ability to do these procedures, we are able to make sure more and more of our stroke patients live an independent life,” he said.

As part of the $50 million improvement plan, the hospital also built a new neonatal intensive care unit, which added eight beds, bringing the total to 18.

By the fall, hospital officials expect to be able to offer critical care for babies younger than 25 weeks, which would allow a mother to stay with her newborn more during treatment.

“Before, we had technology to stabilize them, but for safety, we would transfer (the child) to a higher level of care,” NICU nurse manager Mary Ann Mathews said.

Cox Media Group