The Massive Scale Of Primary Children's Hospital

Primary Children's Hospital, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a leading pediatric healthcare provider that has been serving the community for over a century. The hospital has grown significantly since its establishment in 1911, starting as a small ward in the LDS Hospital and expanding into a multi-campus care network. Today, the hospital offers a wide range of services, including over 60 medical and surgical pediatric specialties, and is equipped with hundreds of beds, accommodating the complex needs of children across six states. With a dedicated team of 800 pediatric providers and a support staff of over 3,000 caregivers, Primary Children's Hospital is committed to providing personalized care that integrates the unique needs, experiences, and feelings of each child and their family.

History of Primary Children's Hospital

Primary Children's Hospital, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, has a long and illustrious history of providing pediatric care to the community for over a century. The hospital's journey began in the early 1900s, with its roots tracing back to the efforts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1911, May Anderson, a member of the Church, noticed a child struggling on crutches along a Salt Lake City street. This sparked the realization of the need for specialized pediatric care in the area. With the support of General Primary President Louie B. Felt, a children's ward was established in the LDS Hospital in 1913. The Church played a pivotal role in the establishment of the hospital by purchasing and remodelling a large home on North Temple Street, which became the first dedicated pediatric facility.

The hospital's early years were marked by growth and community support. In 1922, Primary Children's Hospital opened its doors in a 35-bed facility, thanks to donations and support from the community. Over the years, the hospital expanded, adding more beds and services to meet the growing needs of the community. By 1952, the hospital had moved to a larger 70-bed facility and continued to expand, reaching 170 beds with the help of community donations.

A significant milestone was reached in 1975 when the hospital transitioned from church administration to an independent, nonprofit corporation, Intermountain Healthcare. This move paved the way for further growth and development. In 1977, Primary Children's Hospital became the teaching hospital for the University of Utah School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics, fostering innovation and advancements in pediatric care.

In 1990, the hospital opened its current 289-bed facility on the University of Utah campus, solidifying its position as a leading pediatric care provider. The new facility allowed for expanded services, including behavioural health treatments and rehabilitation therapy at off-site locations. Today, the hospital boasts hundreds of beds, a staff of over 3,000, and more than 800 pediatric providers offering over 60 medical and surgical specialties.

Throughout its history, Primary Children's Hospital has remained true to its core belief of "The Child First and Always," ensuring that the needs of children always come first. The hospital's impact extends beyond Utah, serving patients across the Mountain West region and becoming a beacon of pediatric care and innovation.

Current size

The Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, has grown to become one of the nation's foremost children's hospitals. The hospital has expanded over the years and now has hundreds of beds, with sources citing different numbers ranging from 170 to 289 beds. The hospital has a large staff, including more than 800 pediatric providers and a dedicated support staff of over 3,000 caregivers.

The hospital's services have evolved to meet the diverse needs of children, from orthopedics and chronic disease management to addressing complex injuries and illnesses. They offer a wide range of pediatric specialties, with more than 60 medical and surgical services available. The hospital's reach extends beyond its walls, providing specialty care in clinic locations, partner community hospitals, and via pediatric telehealth services in Utah and neighbouring states.

The Primary Children's Hospital is jointly affiliated with Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health. It serves as the pediatric specialty teaching hospital for the University of Utah School of Medicine. The hospital's main campus is located on the University of Utah campus, and they have expanded to include additional facilities such as the Eccles Outpatient Services Building, which opened in 2014.

To address the growing needs of the community, a second hospital campus is being built in Lehi, Utah, with plans to open in 2024. This new facility will feature five floors, 66 beds, and a three-story medical office building, covering a combined area of 486,000 square feet. The expansion aligns with Intermountain Healthcare's vision to create a model health system for children, delivering exceptional care and teaching the next generation of medical professionals.

Future expansion plans

The Primary Children's Hospital has come a long way since its inception in 1911, when it was established to meet the needs of children. With a century of collaboration, innovation, and growth under its belt, the hospital is now looking towards the future with ambitious expansion plans.

The hospital is committed to its "Child First and Always" motto and aims to continue providing the best possible healthcare to children and their families. To that end, Primary Children's Hospital is expanding its physical presence and the scope of its services.

In 2020, the hospital began constructing a second campus in Lehi, Utah, named the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Campus. This new facility, which opened in early 2024, features five floors, 66 beds, and a three-story medical office building, spanning a combined 486,000 square feet. The new campus is part of Intermountain Healthcare's "Primary Promise" vision to create a model health system for children, ensuring that their healthcare needs are met now and in the future.

The hospital's expansion plans also include a focus on community partnerships and bringing quality care closer to children's homes. Primary Children's Hospital already has partnerships with community practices and hospitals throughout the Mountain West region, and it intends to strengthen these relationships and establish new ones.

In addition to physical expansion and community outreach, the hospital is dedicated to continuing its legacy of innovation and teaching. As a leading academic pediatric medical center, Primary Children's Hospital will continue to invest in research and education, ensuring that its staff remains at the forefront of pediatric healthcare advancements.

With these expansion plans, Primary Children's Hospital strives to enhance its ability to serve children and their families, providing the highest level of care and fulfilling its promise to always put the child first.

Awards and recognition

Primary Children's Hospital has been recognized for 18 consecutive years as Accredited with Commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). The hospital has also been named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America. Primary Children's is one of 21 hospitals recognized for its achievement in children's asthma care.

The hospital has also been recognized by The Joint Commission for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that improve care for certain conditions. In addition, Primary Children's Hospital is one of only 33 percent of all Joint Commission-accredited hospitals reporting accountability measure performance data for 2012.

Boston Children's Hospital has received numerous awards and recognition for its commitment to excellence in pediatric healthcare. It has been recognized by Becker's Hospital Review as one of 19 emergency departments across the U.S. to receive the 2018-2020 Emergency Nurses Association's Lantern Award. The award honors emergency departments that demonstrate excellent performance in leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. Boston Children's Hospital has also been recognized as a "Great Hospital" by Becker's Hospital Review in 2019, an award that recognizes hospitals for their leadership, innovation, excellence in clinical care, patient outcomes, and staff and physician satisfaction. Additionally, Boston Children's Hospital has achieved Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for the fifth year in a row, an honor that only around six to ten percent of hospitals in America have achieved.

Children's Hospital Colorado has also received several awards and recognitions for its commitment to providing high-quality, safe patient care. In 2015, it was named the winner of the American Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Award, becoming only the second children's hospital to win this award in its 14-year history. The hospital also received its fourth designation from Magnet in 2020, one of only 13 Magnet-designated hospitals in the state and 543 in the world at the time. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Children's Hospital Colorado was awarded a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence in 2024 by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Patient statistics

The Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, owned by Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare, serves patients in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Montana. The 289-bed hospital is equipped and staffed to care for children with complex illnesses and injuries. On average, the hospital treats 693 patients per day, with a length of stay of 4.12 days. The hospital has a medical staff membership of 1,010 and 3,170 individuals on its hospital staff. In 2011, Primary Children's recorded $544.9 million in gross charges and a net income of $39.7 million, according to the American Hospital Directory.

Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio is another prominent pediatric healthcare provider. The hospital has been recognized by U.S. News as one of the top pediatric hospitals in the Midwest. In 2024, patients came from all 50 U.S. states and 49 countries. The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked among the top 10 NIH-funded freestanding pediatric research facilities in the U.S. The hospital employs more than 302 residents in specific zip codes in Ohio and has a significant community presence, with over 1,500 participants attending the second annual Linden Fall Fest.

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