BHealthy Blog

BHMC-LR Has a Newly Renovated ER

Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock held a grand opening and news conference today to showcase its newly updated emergency department. The grand opening marks the completion of four phases of construction.

The $5 million renovation included quadrupling the waiting area, creating a more visible walk-in entrance and circular drive. This entrance is now separate from ambulance and MedFlight patient traffic.

The volume in the emergency department has dramatically increased over the last 10 years from more than 40,000 visits in the late 1990s to more than 60,000 this year. In fact, one of every 10 emergency room visits in Arkansas is to a Baptist Health facility.

“These new changes to our emergency department will enhance the patient experience,” said Doug Weeks, senior vice president and administrator of Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock.  “We will be able to meet patients’ needs quickly and efficiently, and it provides an environment to achieve world class service.”

The emergency department renovations were made possible with monies raised from the 2010 Bolo Bash golf tournament and luncheon and the generosity from several major gifts.

Some Fun Facts:

  • The original waiting/admissions/triage area in the ED was about 1300 square feet. The new addition added about 4500 square feet.
  • The public now enters through a new ambulatory entrance which is easier to find, more welcoming, and provides greater security for patients and staff.
  • Triage and admissions areas are more spacious, provide the patient with more privacy, and are safer for hospital staff.
  • A new family room provides more space and comfort than the former family room.  A private exit is available so families do not have to pass back through the waiting room.
  • Four new treatment or observation rooms have been added.
  • Three small exam spaces, formerly separated only by curtains, have been replaced by three large, modern exam rooms.
  • Trauma rooms were updated.