The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in midtown Little Rock has always been a cornerstone of medical care and health care instruction in the state, but recent improvements and a continuing commitment to families and community outreach demonstrate UAMS Medical Center isn’t content to rest on that record.
“The physicians and staff at UAMS are at the forefront of safety and quality initiatives across the nation’s health care industry,”said Dr. Roxane A. Townsend, CEO.
UAMS Medical Center is well known to many as the state’s leader in innovative health care. Examples of this world-class patient- and family-centered care include operating the state’s only adult Level 1 Trauma Center and offering innovative and life-saving cancer treatments and radiation for adult and pediatric patients.
The hospital is also nationally certified by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center with the only comprehensive stroke treatment team in Arkansas, including interventional neuroradiologists who provide catheter-based treatment of the brain.
It can be said UAMS Medical Center offers expertise and care for conditions in any stage of life, from high-risk pregnancies to palliative care. UAMS’ prenatal program integrates with neonatologists when abnormalities are detected to ensure mother and baby receive care and emotional support, while the palliative care program, advance certified by The Joint Commission, focuses on the quality of life for patients and families facing serious illness.
Services include pain and symptom management, interdisciplinary support for social, emotional and spiritual issues associated with serious illness and coordinated care in the hospital, clinics and at home.
“Open communication and the ability for families to stay overnight at the bedside allows those most familiar with patients to notify staff of subtle changes in a patient’s condition that, when treated promptly, can help prevent more serious complications,” Townsend said.
Hospital leadership stays in tune with patient needs in other ways, including the UAMS Patient Advisory Council and UAMS MyChart, a free online patient portal that allows patients to securely schedule appointments, view lab and test results, pay bills and send messages to their doctors.
“Under the care of UAMS primary care physicians, patients have access to specialists uniquely qualified to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions,” Townsend said. “Patients and their team of physicians, nurses and health care providers across UAMS work closely together in a seamless, integrated system to ensure patients get the highest quality care.”
Highlights:
» State’s only adult Level 1 Trauma Center
» High-risk pregnancy program integrates with neonatologists when abnormalities are detected to ensure both mother and baby receive quality care and emotional support.
» Nationally certified by The Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.
» State-of-the-art hospital expansion opened in 2009 with all private rooms, including for babies in neonatal intensive care
» 450 patient beds and 19 operating rooms with the latest technology for diagnostic testing during procedures.
» UAMS family presence policy welcomes family participation in care, including allowing families to stay overnight at the patients’ bedsides
