CottageHealthSystem
By Cottage Health
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) is pleased to announce the completion of a significant phase in its Emergency Department (ED) remodel project, made possible by generous community support and donations. The ED remains conveniently accessible from Junipero Street and has been redesigned for improved patient flow.
“Thanks to the renovation, we now have the ability to serve more patients and remain prepared for future healthcare needs,” said Dr. John Anis, medical director for Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s Emergency Department. “Prior to the remodel, we were able to see 45,000 patients annually, now we are equipped to accommodate up to 75,000 patients.”
The newly remodeled ED was designed with these features:
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A new patient care model that includes a specific area for prompt evaluation and treatment of patients with lower acuity levels. This means many patients now can remain seated in a specially designed patient chair – rather than requiring a bed – for their complete evaluation and treatment.
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A new waiting area, staffed by nurses, is designated for use while low-acuity patients wait for test results before discharge. This care model has been shown to expedite care and enhance the patient experience, while freeing ED beds for acutely ill patients and those arriving via ambulance.
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Security upgrades, including a state-of-the-art electronic screening system, have been added to existing security measures. Everyone entering will be scanned to ensure prohibited items such as weapons, cigarettes, vapes and lighters are not brought into the hospital. 24/7 security teams will help keep the hospital a safe and healing environment for patients, visitors and staff.
“This is a huge step forward. Our expanded state-of-the-art Level 1 Trauma Center and Emergency Department will revolutionize our workflows and the way we deliver care for patients. Because of generous community support, we will be able to provide for the emergency needs of patients in the region for many years to come,” said Brett Wilson, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician.
Through the Reaching Higher Together Campaign for Excellence, SBCH Foundation raised $26.3 million to benefit Emergency, Trauma and Critical Care projects, including the ED renovation.
Notably, the ED has been named in honor of Ben and Naomi Bollag, whose philanthropic efforts have significantly impacted the hospital and its services. Additionally, the Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation, Peter and Robin Barker, the Herbert Simon Family Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Foundation pledged their commitment to the well-being of the community through generous contributions.
The remaining phase of the ED remodel will focus on remodeling the trauma ambulance bay and rooms.
SBCH is a Level I Trauma Center for adults and a Level II Trauma Center for pediatrics, verified by the American College of Surgeons and Santa Barbara County Emergency Medical Services Agency.
To help connect the community to convenient care, Cottage Health offers three emergency departments, located in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Santa Ynez, as well as 15 Cottage Urgent Care centers with locations from Camarillo to San Luis Obispo, and Cottage Virtual Care available online to people anywhere in California.
For more information about the SBCH Foundation or to make a contribution, visit cottagehealth.org/donate
About Cottage Health cottagehealth.org
The not-for-profit Cottage Health is the leader in providing advanced medical care to the Central Coast region. Specialties include the Cottage Children’s Medical Center, Level 1 Trauma Center, Neuroscience Institute, Heart & Vascular Center, Center for Orthopedics, and Rehabilitation Hospital. The Cottage Health medical staff is comprised of more than 700 physicians, many with subspecialties typically found only at university medical centers. Last year, the Cottage Health hospitals in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley provided inpatient care for 19,000 people, treated 81,000 patients through their 24-hour emergency departments and helped deliver 2,000 newborns.
Did the stolen medi-cal funds pay for this or just the average game of overcharging patients?
50/50
This sounds like an excellent development however I have an issue with Cottage Health. Why have I had to drive to Ventura for nearly 5 years to visit my stroke-victim life partner in Skilled Nursing because no health facility in Santa Barbara…or Santa Barbara County for that matter, will take a long-term tracheostomy patient?
I have tried to no avail to get an answer to this. I visit him twice a week and have logged thousands of hours commuting and spent thousands of dollars on gas.
Alonzo, I’m very sorry about your situation.
But the Cottage system no longer runs any residential units.
There used to be a sub-acute unit at Goleta Valley Hospital; I know similar patients lived there. It must have been closed for monetary reasons. That was in 2002, I believe.
I have no idea how to get a sub-acute SNF open in Santa Barbara. I did not know that no local SNF took trach patients.
I had a serious fall and was unconscious for a day and a half. Cottage ER and ICU provided absolutely the best of care. We are extremely fortunate to have such a medical facility close by.