By Staff
FINISHING TOUCHES James Kell puts finishing touches to the sheet vinyl on the new emergency room floor at Riley Hospital. The hospital's new ER officially opens today. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
Dec. 28, 2001
The signs asking people to "please pardon our mess" came down as the newly renovated emergency room at Riley Hospital prepared to open today.
The project to expand and modernize the emergency room cost just under $1.5 million and will more than double the emergency room space. The ER has 11 private rooms, two of them designated as major trauma rooms; a new ambulance entrance; and a centralized nursing station equipped with monitoring equipment.
Tyra said the renovation optimizes space for staff and allows better access to patients.
The construction project, completed ahead of schedule by W.G. Yates &Sons Construction Co., of Philadelphia, started in September.
Tyra said Health Management Associates, the company that acquired the hospital about three years ago, tries to target the emergency rooms for renovation within the first few years of purchasing a new hospital.
During the construction, Riley converted one of its intensive care units on the second floor to an emergency services area.
The hospital plans an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony, possibly by the end of January.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.