Contact: BOND REVIEWS $1 MILLION PLAN TO IMPROVE
Friday, June 20, 2003

KANSAS CITY, MO - Kit Bond today received a personal briefing on how Truman Medical Center Hospital will use the $1 million in federal money secured by the Senator to improve the Emergency Department.

"Kansas City depends on Truman for world-class trauma care. That responsibility means we must invest in equipment and facilities to make sure we are ready to handle whatever tragedy may occur," said Bond, who as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee secured the $1 million in funding for the hospital.

The Truman Medical Centers has undertaken a $14 million modernization of its Hospital Hill Emergency Department, a Level I Trauma Center, to improve patient care in one of Missouri’s busiest emergency departments. The expansion is necessary to meet a tremendous demand that exceeds current capacity, improve trauma care, update technology, and help ensure community emergency preparation, including bioterrorism preparedness.

The expansion will enlarge the emergency department from 33,000 square feet to 46,000 square feet, nearly doubling the number of beds to 53. Construction, which will include a four-story build-out, will start this spring and will take about two years. It will occur in stages, allowing patients to receive care during construction.

"What many do not realize is that Truman, as a Level I Trauma Center, plays a significant role in our efforts in Kansas City to prepare for and respond to the threat of terrorism, bio-chemical attack or disaster," said Bond, stressing Truman Medical's critical role in the post 9-11 era.

The planned modernization will include an upgraded of the biohazard decontamination area with isolated waiting and triage areas equipped with separate air circulation systems. The modernization will also enhance the educational mission of Truman Medical Centers, the primary teaching hospital for the University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Health Sciences.

Senator Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service in his third term in the United States Senate.