While three health systems recently announced plans to close emergency departments, several others are working on projects to build or expand their departments. Here are seven emergency department projects Becker's has reported since July 10:
1. The expansion and modernization project at Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center Sameth Emergency Department is expected to be completed in 2024. The new emergency department will have nearly 100 adult treatment rooms and bays and will allow for the relocation of the adult behavioral health unit, providing space that will have natural light, additional space and enhanced patient comforts.
2. Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus Wausau Hospital started construction on its emergency department expansion. The 29,500-square-foot-expansion will nearly double the department's current size.
3. Madison, Wis.-based UW Health approved two expansion projects, one of which will add 20 emergency department rooms at East Madison Hospital.
4. UCHealth Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Hospital broke ground on a $119 million expansion project, adding two new buildings to the hospital that is regularly at capacity. The project includes building a 194,000-square-foot tower that will add 14 emergency room beds.
5. Northampton, Mass.-based Cooley Dickinson Hospital broke ground on its new emergency department building. The new department will be 40 percent bigger than the hospital's existing ER and is expected to be completed in 2025.
6. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare is continuing its run of building freestanding emergency rooms in Florida with a new $17.7 million facility in Maitland.
7.The University of Alabama at Birmingham began renovations on its UAB Hospital University emergency department and expects to begin a $73 million expansion project in 2024.