Magee Hospital Set To Open New Emergency Department
OAKLAND (KDKA) - Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC is set to open a brand new emergency department, which will be available to patients beginning Sunday morning.
"This is a state-of-the-art facility and I don't think we've ever had such a functioning emergency room. Everything is laid out to be utilized to the best efficiency," Associate Chief Of Emergency Services Dr. Jason Chang said.
The 22-bed department was created top to bottom with patients in mind.
There are private rooms for each patient.
For older patients, there are lower beds and the floors are specially varnished to accommodate walkers.
The new building also means patients are closer to other units like intensive care, labor and delivery, and imaging.
Tests, such as ultrasounds, can now be done right in the emergency department.
"Anytime that we ordered an ultrasound, we would wait for someone to be able to transfer that patient to the radiology department, which is another wing away. So, now with having an ultrasonographer here, we can just transfer them to the room next door," Chang said.
Another feature is something pretty unique to this new emergency department is this area. It was designed specifically for sexual assault victims. It's more private, plus it has a private shower for the patients.
"Unfortunately, we do see a good number of sexual assault cases being a women's care facility and now we can really give them the attention that they need,"
There is a separate waiting room for family members of the victims.
Entering the emergency department altogether will be more comfortable and less hectic.
The new entrance is on Craft Avenue away from the main entrance. The parking lot is dedicated solely to emergency parking.
"Before, the parking lot was a mess to get into. It was shared with the ambulance crew coming in, in addition to all the clinic patients, but now we have a separate entrance," Chang said.
The new emergency department opens to patients on Sunday at 7 a.m.
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