Dr. Robert Anderson says the ER renovations will cut down on patient wait time. “Hospitals around the country are adopting the use of these fast-track units as more patients rely on ERs for non-life-threatening illnesses because either they don’t have a regular doctor or have trouble getting to see one on short notice,” says Nancy Coffey, a registered nurse and Memorial’s ER director. Currently, patients who come to the ER seeking minor emergency care can expect to spend an average of two hours from start to finish. Memorial hopes the renovations will decrease this waiting time. The new construction will bring about a reshuffling of the ER as well. A brand new triage room will be added to the ER along with a new family room. The front registration area will also change as most patient registration will happen at the bedside using the hospital’s workstations on wheels. “The goal is to make our emergency room more efficient with quicker service,” Dr. Anderson says. “When you are hurt or sick, waiting for help is the last thing you want to do. These changes will help speed things up, while still providing top medical care.” Construction in the ER began in early January and should be completed in the Spring.
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Memorial’s new triage room. One of the many upgrades to the ER.
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