By HFT Staff

UofL Health celebrated the opening of UofL Health – South Hospital, in Bullitt County, Kentucky. The $78-million acute care hospital opened with 40 inpatient beds and shell space for an additional 20 beds. The new hospital fills an access gap in Kentucky’s 10th-most populous county, allowing local patients to get their care closer to home. Bullitt County was previously the largest county in the commonwealth without an inpatient hospital. 

South Hospital is ideally positioned to support one of Kentucky’s fastest growing regions. In addition to inpatient beds, including a 10-bed intensive care unit, the new full-service acute care hospital is bringing more providers. It will also provide enhanced heart care services, including cardiac and vascular catheterization labs and STEMI Network for faster treatment of acute heart attacks, expanded emergency capabilities including a “fast track” area for quicker treatment and discharge, expanded cardiopulmonary services, state-of-the art pharmacy, laboratory and sterile processing areas, and increased surgical suites for inpatient and outpatient procedures. 

As part of an academic health system, the hospital brings additional advantages, including access to a comprehensive collection of medial expertise and early access to innovative treatments. 

The project has evolved the existing medical center, built in 2006, into a hospital, tripling the size of UofL Health’s presence in the area, adding more than 100,000 square feet and an additional two floors. In addition to inpatient services, the new hospital also now includes all the support amenities such as food service, a cafeteria and chapel. 

To support the expanded care, more than 150 new employees have joined the team, including nursing and ancillary positions.