The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also known as CHOP, receives over a million patients each year. It is one of the world’s largest and oldest institutions, as well as the first to specialize solely in the treatment of children. The hospital is considered the best in the United States. Find out more information at iphiladelphia.
Foundation of the hospital
In 1855, Philadelphia had a population of approximately 460 thousand people. That year, more than ten thousand deaths were registered. People died from a variety of fatal diseases. The saddest part was that children under the age of 12 were included on the death lists. In 1855, there were approximately 300 babies who could not be saved from different diseases.
The same year, Dr. Francis West Lewis was inspired to establish an institution that could help children. Then he shared his notion with Dr. Hewson Bache and Penrose Sr. As a result of that conversation, plans were made to create the first pediatric hospital in North America.
The establishment’s earliest known site was a small building. The hospital’s capacity was restricted to 12 beds. However, this was a starting point for further development. Already in its first year of existence, the facility registered more than 300 patients.
Development of the hospital
Following the Civil War, the hospital relocated to a new location. The number of beds in the new facility was increased from 12 to 35. In 1870, CHOP performed the first operation. The new building also employed a resident physician.
Later, in 1913, they began constructing a new hospital that was directly connected to CHOP. The first constructed branch welcomed visitors in 1916. Three years later, the hospital decided to join the University of Pennsylvania, and their cooperation grew stronger with each passing year.
In 1925, the children’s hospital was designated as a part of the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. In 1937, the medical institution received funds that allowed employees to conduct scientific research.
The first recorded implementation of a newborn incubator occurred on the grounds of the children’s hospital. 1962 was a significant year in history because it saw the establishment of the first neonatal intensive care unit in the United States. A few years later, the pediatrics department was established. This event also became memorable because such facilities had never been seen in the country before.
Advanced medical facility
CHOP has made significant advances in pediatric treatment. The first educational programs focusing solely on pediatric medicine were introduced at this facility. Doctors developed essential techniques for repairing congenital cardiac defects, invented newborn intensive care incubators and discovered disease vaccines.
The hospital was able to increase its holdings beginning in 2001, thanks to a 1.5 billion dollar budget allocation. The institution constructed new facilities for experiments and outpatient clinics.
The number of patient beds at the children’s hospital has continually expanded since its inception. Today, there are 594 patient beds, and the institution receives over 28 thousand children each year. The emergency room sees more than a million admissions.
The children’s hospital also owns a facility that was previously located in New Jersey. However, fate stepped in, and it moved to Philadelphia before being bought by CHOP. This achievement enabled children to receive rehabilitative care near the main hospital. The facility contains 45 beds for this purpose and offers inpatient and outpatient care to children with developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses.
For more than a year, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has maintained the honorary title of the best treatment institution. In 2020, it was ranked second in the country and first in Pennsylvania.