Putnam Hospital Center celebrated a vital achievement on Monday by cutting the ribbon on a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department. The $9 million project is a crucial step toward enhancing patient care as the hospital responds to a growing community.
“The new Emergency Department is a reaffirmation of Putnam Hospital Center’s commitment to providing patients with individualized care that is delivered with compassion and increased safety and efficiency,” hospital President Peter Kelly said.
Construction began in September 2017 and involved building a new 8,400-square-foot Emergency Department adjacent to the existing 8,600-square-foot facility. The addition includes 11 private specialty treatment rooms, a new nurses’ station, and a larger waiting room, along with separate ambulance and pedestrian entrances to improve patient safety and flow. The new Emergency Department will open for business on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
“I’m so proud to be part of this incredible project,” Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Keyur Ajbani said. “We strive for excellence in our Emergency Department and this expansion will provide us with the platform to deliver that care.”
“This expansion strengthens our ability to address the healthcare needs of the community as we continue to grow as a regional healthcare system,” Kelly said.
In 2017, Putnam Hospital Center had 27,017 visits to its Emergency Department, a figure that is projected to reach close to 28,000 this year.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place near the entrance of the new Emergency Department, where approximately 150 community members, local leaders and employees joined Kelly, members of the Health Quest and Putnam Hospital Center boards of trustees, the Putnam Hospital Center Foundation and Putnam Hospital Center Auxiliary to celebrate the occasion.
The enhancements and renovations are paid in part by contributions made by the auxiliary and other fundraising efforts.