A west Oahu hospital has expanded its emergency room facilities.
The renovation helps make it easier for patients to receive immediate treatment.
A $2.7-million renovation is now complete at Pali Momi Medical Center.
"Actually we have expanded our Emergency Department waiting area as well as added a triage room and we have expanded our pharmacy as well," said Chief Nurse Executive Brigitte McKale.
The hospital has 116 beds, employs 370 physicians and features a "Team Triage" emergency care system which means a team of health care providers including a doctor… is in the E.R. available to see patients upon arrival.
"Definitely with the growing population we have a need and it allows us to be able see patients much quicker," McKale says.
The emergency room renovation which began in February increased the number of private medical rooms in the E.R. from three to four and nearly doubled the space in the waiting room.
"A lot of times family members come along and gives a nice safe place close to the emergency department where they are in contact with the staff," McKale says.
Officials say the Pali Momi emergency room department treats 90 to 130 patients a day. They are the only medical facility able to diagnose and treat emergency heart conditions in West Oahu.
"For cardiac care time is of the essence so we want to be able to take a patient to cardiac cath lab very quickly under 90 minutes from the field so being the only cardiac cath lab on the leeward side it’s the place to go if you are needing that service," McKale says.
The self funded renovation is aimed at making it easier and faster to get emergency care.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
