The overview
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital announced July 29 it has increased its total number of pediatric inpatient beds to nine, with six being designated as intermediate care unit, or IMU, beds to accommodate patients with more serious needs. The new pediatric bed designation makes the hospital the city’s only licensed IMU, according to a July 29 news release.
The IMU beds are a step down from an intensive care unit and can treat conditions such as dehydration, pneumonia, asthma and viral respiratory illnesses, according to the release.
Zooming out
The pediatric expansion is part of Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital’s $167 million expansion, which began in 2022. Since its start, the expansion has added:
- 115,000 square feet of new and renovated areas
- 100 beds
- An additional parking garage
“We are thrilled our ongoing expansion is giving us the opportunity to offer more robust pediatric services here at Memorial Hermann Katy, including Katy’s only pediatric IMU,” said Jerry Ashworth, CEO of Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital, in the release.
What else?
Additionally, the hospital is working toward increasing its trauma services from its designation as a Level III trauma center to a Level II to keep up with the area’s growing population. The Level II designation could be earned as early as July 2026, Community Impact reported.
