BOUNTIFUL — Lakeview Hospital is expanding its emergency room to accommodate more patients and allow for more privacy.
The hospital broke ground on the $3 million project on Friday and expects it to be completed by September.
The new emergency department will have 15 beds with the ability to flex up to 20 beds as needed, said Emergency Department director Bernadette Waldrop. Right now, the department has 10 beds with the ability to flex to 12 beds as needed.
“There is a three-bed curtained, low acuity area for minor illnesses and injuries. The additional 12 beds are all private rooms for acute care patients,” she said. “Three rooms are designated critical care rooms for our sickest patients. A psychiatric suite specifically aimed at meeting the needs of this patient population with a warm and therapeutic aesthetic will be a welcome addition to the department.”
In addition, Waldrop said, to better serve families, a consultation area has been added as well as a private room for EMS workers. All patient rooms will also have TVs.
Dr. Bill Swiler, emergency department medical director, said the expansion is the result of continued growth and an increasing number of patients.
“We have grown by 6 to 8 percent every year for the past three years while many emergency departments have seen much less growth,” he said. “More space and more beds will increase our ability to see patients quickly and safely and decrease time in the emergency department whether you are admitted or discharged. Currently the most we can accommodate is 13 to 14 patients during surges.”
Swiler said the new department will be in the same area of the hospital as the current department. During construction, the original department will continue to be utilized while the new one is being completed in three separate phases.
“We will move into the new section for phase two and the old emergency department will be renovated during phase two and three,” he said. “We are excited for the growth and expansion but are committed to continuing to offer compassionate care to all who come to the emergency department. We will strive to keep our wait times well below the national average and take care of your loved ones in order to continue to serve the greater Bountiful community.”
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