Newsworthy

When you are sick, hurt, and need immediate care, having an Emergency Department close to home makes a difference. As one of a hospital’s most active and critical departments, quality emergency care is a priority – one that Stormont Vail Health emphasized improvement and enhancement on when becoming the Flint Hills Campus Emergency Department. While change sometimes isn’t always visible on the surface, Linda Caraballo and her grandson, Judah, said they definitely felt the Stormont Vail difference during their experience.

On Sept. 2, 2023, Linda was enjoying a visit from her grandson Judah for the weekend and while together, he started having an asthma attack. For the last four years, Linda hadn’t used hospital services in Junction City. Filled with worry, Linda weighed the options of going to Manhattan on a Kansas State University game night or trying Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus.

“I was worried because my grandson was only visiting, so I didn’t have his insurance cards, and I’ve never experienced the Flint Hills Campus,” said Linda.

While Linda wasn’t the patient this time around, she was a worried grandmother and decided to get care where it would be close to home.

“I was very surprised at the difference! I didn’t know what to expect, but the experience was good, and the nurses were phenomenal,” said Linda. “There was no wait. The registrar immediately got a nurse and got my grandson back to triage while we took care of the paperwork. The registrar was friendly and courteous and even spoke on the phone with my son and daughter-in-law to get everything straightened out.”

Since joining the Stormont Vail health system in 2023, the Flint Hills Campus has prioritized change and improvements to provide the team with the right resources and processes to provide enhanced care to every patient who walks through the door, from installing a new electronic record system to hiring all local physicians and nursing team members.

“I would definitely return to the Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus.”

Linda said she noticed significant differences from the transition, especially regarding emergency department team members who were gracious and genuinely cared for her grandson’s needs.

“They accommodated him, brought him food when he was hungry, and helped him not be frightened. They talked to him, explained what was happening, and even talked to my son and daughter-in-law. They met my and Judah’s needs and went as far as to meet his parents’ needs as well. That means a lot to a parent when they cannot be there themselves.”

Positive change doesn’t happen immediately but results from continuous hard work over time. Stormont Vail is passionate about providing patients with the best care possible and keeping them close to home when it matters most. Stormont Vail is proud to be your healthcare provider of choice for all your care needs.