Special to IFN

For more than 70 years, Iredell Health System has cared for individuals of all ages in our community, from newborns to seniors. In the last year, however, Iredell Memorial Hospital has grown to offer more advanced care for its youngest patients, with the addition of a pediatric hospitalist program.

Common across healthcare organizations throughout the country, a hospitalist is a provider dedicated to caring solely for individuals who are hospitalized. Without the day-to-day concerns of an independent medical practice, these providers can put all their focus on helping to improve the health outcomes of those patients.

Hospitalists at Iredell Memorial Hospital cover a range of specialties, and now that includes pediatrics, or children from ages birth to 18. Before the pediatric hospitalist program was implemented, local pediatricians were responsible for caring for children who were hospitalized.

What does that mean for the community?

There’s a better chance that children can remain at Iredell Memorial Hospital for care rather than being transferred to a different facility, especially since pediatric hospitalists have more experience with illnesses and conditions that may lead to hospitalization for the younger population.

“There is a huge difference between how it was before and now,” said Dr. Dianna Brozyna, chair of the pediatric department at IMH.

She is one of three pediatric hospitalists who rotate at the hospital, ensuring pediatric patients receive all the care they need, close to home.

“We are an in-house team, so our only function is taking care of newborns and children who are admitted,” she said. “We are always close by.”

Brozyna brings with her a wealth of experience. Originally from Tallahassee, Fla., she spent most of her career at the world-renowned Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. It’s the second largest baby hospital in the United States, with approximately 14,000 deliveries each year. Later, she moved back to Tallahassee and helped to open the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at HCA Florida Capital Hospital.

After opening that NICU, Brozyna found herself searching for the next right step in her career. That’s when a friend connected her with Iredell Memorial Hospital. After interviewing at the Statesville hospital, she said it was an easy decision to join the team and she’s been happy with the progress made in the pediatrics field at the facility since her arrival.

What tends to cause hospitalization for an individual under the age of 18?

“Urinary tract infections, dehydration, gastrointestinal issues, we have quite a bit of those. Respiratory issues, like asthma, or other respiratory illnesses and viral illnesses can also lead to hospitalization,” Brozyna said. “There could be a new baby with a fever, or a child with an infection that needs to be drained or needs IV antibiotics. It also could be a newborn or baby or child who is just not doing well.”

Brozyna stresses that parents should always trust their instincts when it comes to the health of their children.

“If you feel something is wrong, it probably is. Trust your instincts and come here, and if we tell you that you have a healthy child, then at least you know,” she said. “Trust your instincts 100 percent.”

Although the pediatric hospitalist team works hard to keep younger patients at Iredell Memorial, sometimes a child will need a higher level of care and will be transferred to another facility.

Brozyna and her team work closely with providers in the emergency department to best determine which patients can stay at the hospital and who will be better served elsewhere. Ultimately, it’s about doing what’s best for the child’s health.

“If you have an infant or child that you are concerned about and you live in Statesville or the surrounding area, bring them to Iredell and they will get excellent care,” Brozyna said. “They will get a workup in the emergency room and those physicians will call the pediatric hospitalist, and we’ll make sure that child is in the right place, whether it’s here or somewhere else. We are going to make sure they get the appropriate treatment.”

Brozyna also wants people to know that they can expect excellent care from her team, and asks that anyone who has had a less than excellent experience in the past to give the hospital another try.

“If you’ve had a child come here and you were not happy, please realize that we now have new protocols and equipment in place. We have very experienced nurses and doctors, and we can treat pediatric patients well,” she said. “Give us a chance to show you what we can do.”

About Iredell Health System

Iredell Health System includes Iredell Memorial Hospital; Iredell Mooresville; Iredell Home Health; Iredell Wound Care & Hyperbaric Center; Community and Corporate Wellness; Occupational Medicine; the Iredell Physician Network and more. Iredell Memorial Hospital is the largest and only nonprofit hospital in Iredell County. The comprehensive healthcare facility has 247 beds; more than 1,800 employees; and has approximately 365 healthcare providers representing various specialties. Centers of excellence include Women’s and Children’s; Cardiovascular; Cancer; Surgical Services and Wellness & Prevention. The Health System’s newest campus, Iredell Mooresville, is home to the area’s only 24-hour urgent care facility, as well as an ambulatory surgery center, imaging center, rehabilitation services, and physician practices. The mission of Iredell Health System is to inspire wellbeing. For a comprehensive list of services and programs, visit www.iredellhealth.org.