The overview
Ascension Seton Williamson celebrated the new Nancy Crouse and Craig McCurdy Surgical Intensive Care Unit on Sept. 6. The 16-bed SICU—now part of the hospital’s Level II trauma care services—quickly filled up after it began accepting patients Aug. 1.
Put in perspective
The hospital's new unit is the first facility in Williamson County offering a level of care equal to that of Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas. The facility is led by Dr. Ankur Bhakta and Dr. Jonathan Lundy, board-certified critical care trauma surgeons.
Featuring cutting-edge technology, the SICU is meant to care for patients who have been in a traumatic accident or have had a complex surgical procedure. According to Ascension Seton, studies indicate patients who receive specialized care in a SICU experience better outcomes, such as shorter hospital stays.
Monitors were strategically placed throughout the 24-hour unit so nurses and doctors can keep an eye on their patient, no matter where they are in the facility. Each room features its own shower and TV. The temperature in each room can also be controlled separately, allowing staff to adjust it to the patient’s desired level of comfort.
What they’re saying
Bhakta said now Williamson County residents will not have to travel as far to receive the critical care they need.
“This has kind of been my dream for the last four years since I’ve been here—to be able to create WilCo as the place where I bring my family, where others bring their families,” Bhakta said. “You know you’re going to get good care here. You don’t have to go downtown. You can get the same thing downtown that you get here.”
