Emergency Department: Enchanted Renovation

Please pardon our dust. We promise it is for a very good reason. The emergency department (ED) at our Burnet (Main) Campus is being renovated!

Construction began a couple of weeks ago and the project, taking place in phases, will take about 18 months total. When it’s finished, our space will have a completely new look and feel – the design theme is ‘enchanted forest’ and we’re all so excited to see it come to life.

Our goal with the new space is for it to be more efficient, comfortable and calming for our patients and their families.

The ideas for this new space came from parents, patients and our staff. Through countless interviews, observations and simulations we’ve collected hundreds of pieces of feedback that are being integrated into the design.

As part of the information gathering process, we actually built a full-scale replica of our new front desk in an empty office space, and asked patients, families and our staff to interact with it and give us feedback. That feedback led to several changes that will better enhance the patient and family experience and make patient care more efficient.

In Phase 1 of the project, happening now through the middle of July, we’re moving the medical supply service center to a more centralized location. The Area E lobby and the lobby restrooms will be renovated and the front entrance will have its top-to-bottom overhaul. During this time you will still be able to access the ED through the front entrance, it may just look a bit different. The waiting area will be completely finished by the end of 2014 and patient room renovations will be complete in July 2015.

Through this time you will certainly see some construction walls and we may need to use some different hallways than we usually do, but please be assured that these renovations will not affect or delay your child’s care in any way. We are here for your family 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

And while the construction is never convenient, this is a very exciting time in the Emergency Department, and we will keep you updated on the progress as we go!

Stay tuned to the Emergency Department Facebook page for regular progress updates and information on upcoming construction and changes.