George Washington University Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The George Washington University Hospital |
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| George Washington University | |
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The George Washington University Hospital in 2012
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| Geography | |
| Location | 900 23rd Street NW, Washington, D.C., United States |
| Coordinates | 38°54′04″N 77°03′02″W / 38.9012°N 77.0506°W |
| Services | |
| Standards | Joint Commission |
| Emergency department | Level I trauma center |
| Beds | 371 |
| History | |
| Founded | 1844 (August 23, 2002-current building) |
The George Washington University Hospital (often called GW Hospital or GWUH) is a hospital in Washington, D.C.. It works closely with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, which is a medical school. Since 1997, the hospital has been owned and run by a partnership between Universal Health Services and George Washington University.
The hospital building you see today opened on August 23, 2002. It has 371 beds for patients. It also has over $45 million worth of modern medical equipment. The hospital is officially approved by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. It is also checked and approved by the U.S. Joint Commission, which makes sure hospitals meet high standards.
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Hospital History
The George Washington University Hospital started as a medical department in 1824. It was part of Columbian College, which is now George Washington University. This medical school was the 11th in the United States. It was also the very first in the nation's capital.
Here are some important dates in the hospital's history:
- 1824: The first medical department was in downtown Washington, D.C. It was near Ford's Theatre.
- 1840s: It moved to a bigger building at Judiciary Square. This became the first general hospital in Washington, D.C.
- 1853: The hospital grew to include clinical studies. This meant students could learn medicine by working with real patients.
- 1861: During the Civil War, the government used the hospital for injured soldiers. It was later destroyed by fire.
- 1863: The medical college reopened after the fire.
- 1868: The hospital and medical school moved to 1335 H Street.
- 1904: The hospital and medical school were renamed. They became The George Washington University Medical School and Hospital. Many famous doctors worked there. These included Major Walter Reed, who found out mosquitoes carry yellow fever. Dr. Theobald Smith discovered that germs cause diseases. Dr. Frederick Russell brought the typhoid vaccine to the Army.
- 1928: The Department of Medicine became three separate parts. These were the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the University Hospital.
- 1948: GW Hospital moved to Foggy Bottom. This new building had 501 patient beds. It was the biggest private building in D.C. at the time.
- 1981: President Ronald Reagan was taken to GW's Emergency Department. This happened after an attempt on his life. He had gunshot wounds. The emergency center was later named after him because he survived.
- 1996: A program started to offer mammograms. This helps women detect breast cancer early. It was for all women in D.C., no matter if they could pay. This program still helps people today.
- 1997: Universal Health Services bought a large part of the hospital. They took over running it each day.
- 2002: GW Hospital moved to its current location. This new building was the first new hospital in D.C. in over 20 years.
- 2019: GW Hospital opened a new helipad on its roof. This allows helicopters to land directly at the hospital. It helps bring very sick or injured patients quickly. These patients might need special care for their heart, brain, or serious injuries.
Medical Services
GW Hospital offers many important medical services. They help people with different health needs.
Emergency Care
The Ronald Reagan Institute of Emergency Medicine opened in 1991. This department helps about 85,000 patients every year. It is a Level I trauma center. This means it can handle the most serious injuries.
GW's emergency department has:
- 52 beds for emergency patients.
- 2 special rooms for trauma patients.
- 6 rooms for patients needing critical care.
- 5 isolation rooms to prevent germs from spreading.
- 12 fast-track rooms for less serious problems.
Trauma and Critical Care
The George Washington University Hospital is a top-level trauma center. It helps the most seriously injured patients. These patients come from Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia.
The new helipad on the roof is very important. It greatly reduces the time it takes to get critical patients to the hospital. This means patients can get life-saving care faster.
Heart and Blood Vessel Care
GW Hospital has a full program for heart and blood vessel problems. They offer advanced treatments for heart disease. They also treat disorders of the blood vessels. This includes special tests, 24-hour heart doctors, and heart surgery.
Stroke Care
GW Hospital is a comprehensive stroke center. This means they offer 24-hour care for all types of strokes. A team of experts works together to help stroke patients. This team includes brain doctors, surgeons, and other specialists. The hospital also has a rehabilitation unit. This allows stroke patients to get all their care in one place.
See also
In Spanish: George Washington University Hospital para niños
