From the cover
Targeting trauma care
BY HANNAH BROL
The big picture
Two new helipads, a trauma elevator, lobby and helipad storage space will be added. ROOF
Expansion projects
Each oor will have a net gain of 14 medical/surgical beds, including an isolation room.
HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood’s North Tower is set to undergo a $111 million expansion, following approval from HCA Houston Healthcare System o cials in April. Hospital CEO John Corbeil said the expansion will add 60 beds, expand the adult emergency department, redesign the ambulance drop-o area, and add two new rooftop helipads. Corbeil said the expansion is necessary to keep up with growing demand for health care services, including trauma care. “We are the only Level II trauma center in the area and that span really reaches out all the way to Tyler, Texas and Louisiana,” Corbeil said. “Our area is growing at seven and a half times the national average, and so … as the demand increases, we’ve got to keep up with that with the physical space.” According to the American Trauma Society, Level II is the second-highest trauma designation a hospital can receive. Level II trauma centers are able to initiate de nitive care for all injured patients and o er 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons and some specialties. The next closest Level II trauma centers would be Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe.
FOURTH AND FIFTH FLOORS
16 intermediate care beds will be added, including an isolation room.
THIRD FLOOR
The adult emergency department will be expanded to include nine additional general exam rooms, three trauma bays, a decontamination room, a new EMS break area and a new covered ambulance drop o . FIRST FLOOR intensive care unit, including an isolation room. SECOND FLOOR 16 beds will be added and connected to the medical/surgical
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
From 2019-24, Corbeil said HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood has experienced a:
Infrastructure enhancements: Three new generators will be added. Elevator access: The new trauma elevator will run from the rst oor to the roof.
46% increase in overall hospital admissions
13% increase in total surgeries
38% increase in overall emergency room visits
SOURCE: HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE KINGWOOD COMMUNITY IMPACT
The timeline
Looking ahead
Why it matters
Corbeil said, as the expansion takes shape, hospital o cials are expecting to add personnel to sta the additional beds; however, exact numbers have not been announced. Corbeil also noted the expansion will help hospital o cials in their long- term goals of becoming a Level I trauma center—the highest trauma designation a hospital can receive—and bringing the rst burn unit to the north Houston area. No concrete timelines for these goals have been announced. “We believe that will create convenience and access for [our] population that continues to grow.” JOHN CORBEIL, CEO, HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE KINGWOOD
Sean Conley, the assistant chief and EMS director for Atascocita Fire Department, pro- vided input to hospital o cials ahead of the project’s approval. Currently, the ambulance drop-o area is underground, which Conley said is restrictive and leads to bottlenecks. “Trauma, [heart attacks] and stroke are the trilogy of critical patients where time really matters,” he said. “So when you’re talking about one of the few Level II trauma centers in the area, … it’s important that we can utilize that facility as quickly as possible.” Additionally, Conley said the hospital’s helipad is currently located at ground level next to the emergency room, which means the area is not accessible if a helicopter is landing. “Moving [the helipad] to the roof is extremely e cient, not only for us, but for the helicopter service as well because now they’ve got their own facility, they can come and go as they please, and they don’t have to shut down the parking lot,” Conley said. “It’s more e cient, saves time and saves lives.”
2025
April 2025
HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood receives approval and $111 million in funding for the expansion project from the hospital system.
June 5
Hospital o cials hold a project kicko meeting. Design is expected to be nalized within two to three months followed by permitting, which could take three to six months.
2026
Fourth quarter 2025 or rst quarter 2026
Construction begins and is expected to take 18-24 months.
2027
Second or third quarter of 2027
Construction is completed.
SOURCE: HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE KINGWOOD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION
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