Medical Center of South Arkansas Begins Construction on $3 Million Emergency Department Renovation
El Dorado, AR - The state of Arkansas has approved construction on a $3 million emergency department renovation (ED) on the campus of Medical Center of South Arkansas. The new 8,100 square feet ED will include a beautiful space that is also designed to improve patient flow.
The expansion is part of the facility’s long term plan to keep pace with community needs and assure that patients who visit the MCSA emergency department continue to receive medically advanced, personalized emergency care. MCSA treated over 19,000 ED patients in 2012 and that number is expected to increase in the future.
The new facility is designed to enhance the patient experience by creating an environment that is designed around their needs. To do this, MCSA met with front-line physicians, nurses and ER staff for their input. “As a health care provider, our responsibility is not only to offer high quality care today, but to anticipate the needs of our future community and prepare for those needs before they arise,” said MCSA CEO Kyle Swift. “This renovation allows us to do that and will be good for our community and our hospital.”
Construction is set to begin the week of October 14th, which falls just on the heels of National Emergency Nurses’ Week. ED Department Director, Sonya Justice, RN, commented on the caliber of nursing staff in the emergency department. “We are excited about the new expansion and so proud of our staff for their commitment to this project. Our staff is highly qualified in many areas. All of our nurses are trained in trauma care, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Some of our nurses have additional training or certification in areas including assault care, emergency nursing and advanced burn life support.”
“Patient visits to our ED have increased dramatically over the past few years,” says Swift. “This much needed renovation of our ED space will accommodate the needs of our community and ensure that we continue offering thorough, comprehensive care for our patients.”