Downey’s Kaiser Permanente accepted as a children’s hospital

DOWNEY — Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center was accepted for membership into the Children’s Hospital Association—the voice for more than 220 children’s hospitals nationwide.

As champions for children’s health, the association advances public policy enabling hospitals to better serve children and builds awareness of child health issues.

As a children’s hospital, Kaiser Permanente Downey’s Pediatric Care Center is setting the standard for the highest quality pediatric care to Kaiser Permanente members in the Southeast Los Angeles County area.

In 2017, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center became a Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Care Center, meaning it is a center of expertise (tertiary center), centrally located and designed to allow doctors, specialists, and nurses to work more effectively as a coordinated and specialized pediatric care team, providing the right care in the right setting for hospitalized children.

The Kaiser Permanente Pediatric Care Center at Downey is also equipped with the most advanced technology related to pediatric care. Combining these specialized professionals with technologically advanced resources enriches the care pediatric inpatients receive and allows for even healthier medical outcomes.

“Participation in the Children’s Hospital Association offers us access to a network of institutions and people who understand the unique health care needs of children,” said Jim Branchick, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center. “We look forward to collaborating with our peers and the children’s hospital industry and adding our voice to advocate on behalf of all children.”

The Children’s Hospital Association advances public policy enabling hospitals to better serve children and builds awareness of child health issues. It is the premier resource for pediatric data and analytics driving improved clinical and operational performance among its member hospitals.

“We are pleased to welcome Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center and look forward to its active involvement,” said Mark Wietecha, Children’s Hospital Association president and CEO. “Our hospital members are the backbone of the nation’s pediatric health care infrastructure. With them, we are committed to providing the highest quality care and developing innovative solutions to impact the future of children’s health and health care.”

Children’s hospitals represent five percent of all hospitals and provide a disproportionately large share of the nation’s pediatric acute clinical care. Children’s hospitals are also vital centers of primary and specialty pediatric medical education and are leaders in pediatric research.

Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center also received a Women’s Choice Award for “Best Children’s Hospital” in 2018.

News, HealthStaff Report