CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – University of Virginia Medical Center Cathryn Phillips says they are “incredibly excited” as they head for an October 15th opening of the new, much larger ER. She and Professor and Chair of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Robert O’Connor agree the new ER — triple the size of the current space — will result in a better patient experience. Dr. O’Connor told a media tour of the new facilities the current 15,000 square-foot space is crowded — and there is a lot of waiting and consultation with patients in hallways. The new 45,000 square-foot space — among the largest ERs in Virginia — will include rooms where patients can wait for lab results… or complete IVs without occupying needed bed space or being relegated to a hallway.
work continues toward the October 15 opening
The new ER has 70 private exam and treatment rooms. They include a “rapid medical evaluation” area where patients with less severe illnesses and conditions can be treated and released directly from that area.
long hallway in what will be one of the Commonwealth’s largest ERs
The new ER includes separate adult and pediatric emergency departments — and waiting rooms. The pediatric ER rooms have a direct door access from the pediatric waiting room, as well. The is also a dedicated behavioral health area specifically for people with mental illness-related emergencies. These rooms don’t have a bunch of equipment on the walls… and this ER also has separate adult and pediatric partitions.
one of the beds in one of the rooms
There are state-of-the-art trauma and resuscitation rooms for adults and children. Dr. O’Connor says currently much of the equipment is on carts and are rolled in and around patients. He says care is needed not to step on or trip over cords and cables. These new rooms will have this equipment on a rack from the ceiling — so there are no cords or cables on the floor. The hanging rack can also be moved around the room to quickly situate it where ever is needed.
pediatric waiting room
The current ER space will be renovated into a 10-bed clinical decision-making unit to assess whether patients should be admitted, observed, or discharged. These patients currently are often moved into hospital rooms to make room in the ER. This unit is expected to open in fall 2020.
