FORT WORTH, Texas — Neurological diseases and traumatic accidental injuries can strike at any time, affecting patients of all ages. That's why Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth has expanded its Neuroscience services department with the addition of 23 beds that will soon be designated for the care of neurology and neurosurgical patients.

Located on the third floor of Jones Tower, the Texas Health Fort Worth expansion project includes:

• 12 progressive care/intermediate care beds
• 11 telemetry beds

That brings the total bed count for the Neurosciences department to 103.

"The additional beds will allow us to care for more patients but designating more than 20 beds to neurological care speaks to the volume of stroke and neurosurgical patients that require treatment in our area," said Debbie Phillips, Texas Health Fort Worth's Neurosciences administrative director.

"We care for the highest number of stroke patients in North Texas, and this expansion project further allows us to offer comprehensive and advanced treatment for a variety of neurological and neurosurgical conditions, which includes stroke," Phillips said.

Texas Health Fort Worth is the first hospital in Fort Worth to achieve The Joint Commission's Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers. It is one of the highest certifications that U.S. hospitals can achieve, and for the entire North Texas region, Texas Health Forth Worth is just the third hospital to do so.

Texas Health Fort Worth also has Joint Commission certification for Spine and Brain Tumor Surgery, just the second hospital in the nation to be awarded with the brain tumor designation. The hospital offers extensive Neuro-Trauma services, Adult Scoliosis and Complex Spine services.

Phillips said the additional beds will also allow for the expansion of the Epilepsy Monitoring unit.

As an Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, Texas Health Fort Worth offers various programs, technologies and specialists aimed at better diagnosis and treatment of stroke: a dedicated neurosurgical intensive care unit, educational and support programs, a Brain Injury Transitional Services program, advanced imaging systems to identify clots deep in the brain, virtual stroke care capabilities, along with educational and support programs.

The first phase of the expansion project began this week, with the opening of 10 beds. Monitors for patient observations will soon be added to the nurses' stations as well. "We're anticipating those beds to be fully outfitted for telemetry services by the end of July," said Kristin Templin, Neurosciences nurse manager.

"The telemetry equipment allows the nurses to monitor patients' blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, breathing patterns, heart activity, sleep disorders and neurological issues," she said. "And that includes wearable devices for the patients, monitors for the care team to routinely check. It's a lot of technology to get up and running."

The newly expanded area is slated to be fully operational by September 2019.