‘KPH ER leveled up; New facility can now handle 20 emergency patients at once’ - SAO Palicas

For Kalinga patients, the change is more than an upgraded room. It means more space, more beds, and more capacity to save lives when every second counts.

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — What was once a challenge during multiple-emergency situations is now expected to become a thing of the past as the newly renovated Emergency Room (ER) of Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH) can now accommodate up to 20 emergency patients at a time.

According to KPH Supervising Administrative Officer Raymond Palicas, the upgraded ER has been departmentalized into designated areas and will have 15 stretchers, significantly strengthening the hospital’s ability to respond to multiple patients requiring immediate medical attention.

The renovated ER was among the facilities and equipment inaugurated and blessed at KPH in Bulanao, Tabuk City, on August 18. The event also featured the inauguration of a newly acquired X-ray machine, a donated hemodialysis machine, and a Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In an interview with GURU Press, Palicas said the improved ER is designed to handle several emergency cases simultaneously, particularly during incidents involving multiple casualties such as vehicular accidents.

He said the facility now has designated areas with corresponding beds, allowing the hospital to accommodate as many as 20 emergency patients at any given time.

“Iti level tayo gamin dituy KPH is Level 1, with authorized bed capacity of 100. So major nga department nga adda dapat iti KPH, pedia, OBGYN, surgery, and then medicine. Siguro nu kitam diyay, kaya na pay kitdi i-accommodate karu nu adda ti vehicular accident, kaya na met nga i-accommodate iti 20 patients at any given time,” Palicas said.

He explained that the improved setup is particularly important when several patients arrive at the hospital simultaneously.

“Kumbaga iti maysa nga area nga diyay adda ti designated nga number of beds na. Most likely kaya na ti 20 beds diyay,” he added.

From emergency treatment to observation

The renovated ER also includes an observation room where patients can be monitored after receiving emergency treatment.

Palicas explained that not all patients who arrive at the ER necessarily need to be admitted.

Some may respond well to emergency medication and treatment and can instead remain under observation until their condition improves.

“Before nga ma-admit ni patient, mai-kabil pay lang suna idjay observation room. Ta adda ngay dagiyay patients nga emergency iti dating na, but while they are at the ER, nai-introduce or nai-administer dagiyay emergency drugs ket sumayaat da,” he said.

If the patient improves and no longer requires admission, the patient may be discharged after observation.

“There is no need for admission, so agpatingga da lang idjay observation room... maited dagiyay agas ket sumayaat da and that will be the time na ma-discharge da,” Palicas added.

He said 15 stretchers will be deployed in the ER to support the upgraded emergency services.

The renovation and amenities of the ER cost an estimated P8 million, according to Palicas.

New PTV strengthens referral capability

Meanwhile, the newly acquired PTV is expected to further strengthen KPH’s capacity to transport patients who require specialized treatment outside the province.

Palicas said the additional vehicle will help address situations when existing patient transport vehicles are already being used for referrals.

“Adu met kitdi available nga PTV tayo, nu mamingsan garud makurangan tayo, so it’s good nga adda dayta request ni Gov. Adda dayta nga assurance nga when there are referrals ket sigurado nga adda mausar nga PTV,” he said.

He explained that the vehicle will be used for patients who need referral to higher-level hospitals outside the province.

“Ti policy na diyay ket as the need rises. Nu adda ti patient nga need na iti referrals to higher sectors outside the province, isu ti pakausaran na diyay PTV—to ferry the patient idjay hospital of choice or referral hospital,” Palicas said.

Referral network remains in place

KPH also continues to maintain referral partnerships with higher-level hospitals, including Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC), Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGH), Conner District Hospital, Luis Hora Memorial Hospital in Bauko, and Southern Isabela Hospital.

Palicas said these partnerships provide KPH with options when patients require medical services beyond the hospital’s capabilities.

Patients may also be referred to private hospitals if the patient or family has a preferred facility, he added.

“Dagituy apex hospitals tayo actually ket talaga nga nabayag nga partner tayo as an apex hospital ket daytuy CVMC. Actually, we had existing MOA with CVMC, BGH, Conner District Hospital, as well as Luis Hora Memorial Hospital in Bauko and also in Southern Isabela Hospital,” Palicas said.

For patients without a preferred hospital, government referral facilities are generally considered, while the preference of the patient or the patient’s relatives is also taken into account when applicable.

With its upgraded ER, additional stretchers, observation area, new equipment, and expanded transport capability, KPH is strengthening its ability to respond when emergencies strike—particularly when several patients need help at the same time.

For Kalinga patients, the change is more than an upgraded room. It means more space, more beds, and more capacity to save lives when every second counts.