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UT Health East Texas showcases Long-Term Acute Care

Vicki Briggs speaks at UT Health Tyler

Tyler, Texas (July 24, 2019) — UT Health East Texas Long-Term Acute Care celebrated 25 years of service to the East Texas community with a reception and tours of the recently updated facility.

"This hospital’s mission began in 1994 and will continue into the future with renewed vision and resources," said Dr. David Johnson, medical director. "Through the concerted efforts of community physicians, UT Health nurses, allied health, pharmacy and administration, some 350 patients and families of East Texas are served in the post-acute care setting yearly by LTAC."

Today, UT Health East Texas LTAC continues to grow and is supported by more than 240 physicians and a 99-member staff. The 36-bed facility, located on the fourth and fifth floors of UT Health Tyler, serves patients who have experienced catastrophic illness, injury or have medically complex cases.

"Patients who are admitted to LTAC typically experience chronic, acute illnesses that require an average length of stay of 25 days or more and require complex medical treatment," said LTAC Administrator Jimmy Clark.

Cases can include anything from cancer treatment to ventilator dependency to wound care. All admitted patients require daily physician monitoring and intensive nursing care.

"We give people time to heal, time to spend with their family and time to make peace," Dr. Johnson said.

UT Health East Texas LTAC recently underwent facility updates to better serve patients. The updates include the addition of four rooms for complex care patients, which require a 1:2 nurse to patient ratio. The remaining rooms operate at an intermediate care level, with a 1:4 nurse to patient ratio.

"The ultimate goal of the renovation is to provide the LTAC with the appropriate equipment to admit patients that have a higher acuity, meaning more acutely ill, and thereby require more intensive medical treatment and monitoring of conditions," Clark said.

Other updates include new Spacelabs monitors in complex patient rooms, new patient beds, isolation cart stations mounted on the wall and a fresh coat of paint.

"Now we can act faster and better serve our patients," said Devone Leach, LTAC director of nursing.

UT Health East Texas LTAC requires physician referral. Medicare, Medicaid and all forms of insurance are accepted.

UT Health Tyler CEO Vicki Briggs speaks at UT Health Tyler on Tuesday while Medical Director Dr. David Johnson (from left), and Administrator Jimmy Clark, look on during a reception for the 25th anniversary of the Long-Term Acute Care facility, located on the hospital’s fourth and fifth floors. The LTAC, which serves patients who require complex medical treatment, recently underwent several updates to improve patient care.

Erin Hoosier (from left), RN, demonstrates new patient beds during a tour of UT Health Tyler’s newly updated Long-Term Acute Care facility on Tuesday, as RN Catheran Glover (seated) shows how the bed can move patients into a full upright position to standing. The LTAC, which serves patients who require complex medical treatment, recently underwent several updates to improve patient care.