A physician is collecting signatures in an effort to convince Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health to update the emergency department at one of its hospitals, SOVAH Health-Danville (Va.), according to the Danville Register & Bee.
In his petition, Gary Miller, MD, a cardiologist, says SOVAH Health-Danville's ED has not been renovated in 22 years. The ED does not have enough beds to accommodate growing patient volume, and several of the rooms are out of sight of the nurse's station, according to the petition.
Dr. Miller claims LifePoint keeps putting off the ED renovation project.
"They made plans 10 years ago, and shelved them, they did that again five years ago, and just did it again," Dr. Miller told the Danville Register & Bee. "I know they have to prioritize, but this has been festering for a long time. Just putting down new flooring and paint would help, and it would improve the image of the hospital."
Dr. Miller's petition had 531 signatures as of Wednesday.
A LifePoint spokesperson told the Danville Register & Bee the hospital network has made $18 million in capital investments in its facilities in the past year, and it will continue to prioritize improvements to best meet the needs of its patients.