12/04/2007

Construction of a new Emergency Department is now underway and will cost approximately $7 million.

The new 10,000-square-foot unit is being built north of the existing ER and will feature 17 beds, larger patient rooms and a centrally-located nurses’ station that will provide a clear view of all areas and quick access to all rooms. Some of the beds in the current ER will be used “fast track” area in which patients needing non-emergent care can be treated.

Dennis Barts, CEO of Ponca City Medical Center, said the ER is responsible for 50% of hospital visits annually and a larger, more up-to-date ER will help the hospital better serve the nearly 23,000 patients who seek emergency care each at PCMC.

“When more than 22,000 patients are being treated annually in a 9-bed ER the system can get strained," said Barts. "Our goal is to treat our patients in our ER as quickly and effectively as possible and a modern, well-designed ER will help us achieve that goal.”