Weirton Medical Unveils New Gastroenterology Suite
Craig Howell Trending
Improvements to the services provided at one local hospital are continuing as part of a multi-year, $10 million expansion project.
Weirton Medical Center recently unveiled its new Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Suite, an approximately 6,000-square-feet space now located next to the hospital's operating room.
For many years, patients receiving gastroenterology services through the hospital often would find themselves transferred between units to receive their care.
"Now we have a self-enclosed unit," explained Dr. Aman Purewal, a gastroenterologist with the hospital.
With the new, larger location, patients now are able to have their pre-operative consultations, the procedures themselves and recovery all within the same unit.
Purewal noted the rooms are larger than in the previous department, and the new suite also features its own ventilator, if needed, along with quick access to X-ray stations and more.
It all provides a more streamlined service for patients, along with a quicker turnaround time in their treatment, hospital officials said.
Terra Green, whose mother has been a patient at the hospital, said she appreciates the renovations as they streamline the services provided, and don't require the patients to go back-and-forth between areas of the hospital.
"She stays on the same bed. She's not transferred," Green said.
Green said the suite also provides more privacy, and opportunities for a family member to be with the patient before and after their procedure and ask questions about their care.
Hospital officials noted the suite currently has two procedure rooms, but there is room to add a third in the future.
"Our team did a terrific job on the project, and this will be so much better for our patients in terms of offering state-of-the-art care in a comfortable setting," said John Frankovitch, president and CEO of the hospital. "With the rise in colorectal cancer nationwide, the timing of our expansion and Endoscopy and GI Services directly meets a community need."
Purewal noted current recommendations for colorectal screenings are to begin at the age of 45, as compared to the previous 50 years of age, because of the rise of instances of colon cancer in younger residents.
Weirton Medical Center first announced its $10 million expansion in October 2022, relocating the hospital's laboratory to the third floor of the Medical Office Building.
The third and final phase for the project will focus on an expanded and redesigned emergency room facility, with hospital officials noting increasing volumes of emergency patient visits in recent years.