Morton Hospital is pleased to announce it will open its new 41,000 square foot, $25 million Emergency Department (ED) on Thursday, October 1, 2015 after receiving final approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and months of careful planning and preparation by Morton Hospital. 

 

The new Morton Hospital Emergency Department will be conveniently located by the hospital front entrance and totals 41,000 square feet, which is twice the size of the hospital’s current Emergency Department.  The ED is comprised of 42 private treatment rooms, including 25 general treatment rooms, eight express care rooms, seven specialized behavioral health rooms, a trauma room with two bays and a decontamination room.  The expansion also includes a new Imaging Suite with the latest in CT scanning and X-ray equipment.  

 

“As we prepare for another busy cold and flu season, we’re thrilled to be fully transitioning into our beautiful new department, where we’ll be able to better manage high patient volume in an environment that will be more comfortable for patients and their family members,” explained Morton Hospital President Kim Bassett.   

 

The new ED will enhance Morton Hospital’s capacity to manage the growing demand for emergency services in a calmer, more comfortable environment. The new ED will significantly shorten wait times and allow for patients to be examined and treated much more quickly. From features like private rooms and ample natural light to large, comfortable family waiting areas, Morton has made a concerted effort to plan the design of the space with patient and family comfort and safety at the forefront of its priorities.  

 

Using a new “pod system” layout with separate treatment areas based on the type and severity of patient injury or ailment, the hospital aims to improve patient safety as well as efficiency and flow through the department – ensuring the timely and smooth transition of patients into ED treatment rooms or inpatient beds within the hospital.  The layout includes private trauma and behavioral health areas isolated from the main treatment rooms so patients with life-threatening injuries or behavioral health issues can receive the specialized care they need in a more private space away from patients who need treatment for less severe issues.    

 

Bassett added that staff is eager to transition into the new department following its year-long construction. “It’s a very exciting time for us at Morton Hospital,” said Bassett.  “We are very proud of our new ED and we look forward to taking care of our patients in this new, state-of-the-art facility.”    

 

The new Emergency Department is the largest investment at Morton since Steward Health Care System (Steward) acquired the hospital in October 2011 and one of the largest projects ever completed by Steward in its entire system.