Atlantic Health System announced in 2021 plans to expand and modernize the Sameth Emergency Department at Morristown Medical Center. Last week, the not-for-profit health care provider provided an update on its progress.

According to AHS, work is moving along as expected on the estimated $26.9 million project, with exterior construction underway that will create a dedicated ambulance entrance for pediatric patients at Gagnon Children’s Emergency Department in addition to a separate, exterior pediatric vestibule walk-in entrance from Franklin Street at the campus.

A new pediatric ambulance canopy, parking area and valet parking for the Goryeb Children’s Hospital are also included in this phase of the project, which is expected to take about four months. Completion is slated for 2024.

AHS said the work will help it to offer exceptional care, better outcomes and improved operations.

“To see the construction progress is incredibly rewarding as we work diligently to continue to bring exceptional emergency care for adult and pediatric patients throughout our community,” said Trish O’Keefe, president of Morristown Medical Center and senior vice president and chief nurse executive at Atlantic Health System. “Our bold vision for the future of emergency medicine is taking shape in dynamic ways, and we are grateful to our team members, neighbors and donors for their ongoing patience and profound support.”

The physical expansion efforts mark the start of the second part of the two-phase project as Phase I, which included equipping the ED, continues to progress. AHS said significant interior advances include the relocation of the Pediatric Day Hospital and Sleep Center, an outpatient unit for procedures that require sedation or special monitoring.

Raising funds, raising walls

The new ED will include nearly 100 adult treatment rooms and bays and an advanced charge desk that will serve as a “control center” for the facility.

Tech upgrades will include advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners, which shorten imaging time for pediatric patients and minimize the need for anesthesia; enhanced patient monitoring and nurse call systems; real-time electronic systems to deliver results and updates for trauma and high-acuity care teams; and monitors to help keep patients informed of their treatment plan in a timely manner.

The latest heating, ventilation and air conditioning with high efficiency particulate air filtration systems will be installed throughout the new Emergency Department, AHS said. And the expansion will allow for the relocation of the Adult Behavioral Health unit to a new area that offers natural light, additional space, soothing colors and other patient comforts.

The Sameth Emergency Department is a designated a Level I Regional Trauma Center, one of three across the state, and records more than 100,000 patient visits per year. According to the Atlantic Health Foundation for Morristown Medical Center, the project aims to accommodate 30,000 additional patient visits per year.

To date, more than $12 million has been raised to fund the construction project.

Led by Campaign Chair Bill Marino, AHS said the Campaign for Building Excellence in Emergency Care‘s initial $10 million goal was met in just over a year. The target was then raised to $12.5 million to help support additional equipment upgrades, new technology and educational opportunities.

The ED is staffed by 45 emergency medicine physicians, 27 medical residents, four pediatric fellows, 13 physician assistants, 130 registered nurses, 89 emergency technicians and 24 administrative assistants. It is also serves as a primary teaching site for both nursing and medical students. Treatment zones include: adult, geriatric, trauma, psychiatric and pediatric emergencies.

At the beginning of the month, the Sameth Emergency Department was one of just six emergency departments in New Jersey to earn the coveted 2023 ENA Lantern Award, which recognizes facilities demonstrating exceptional and innovative leadership, practice, education, advocacy and research performance.

Morristown Medical Center is no stranger to recognition: In March it ranked highest from the Garden State among the “worlds best” hospitals as determined by Newsweek. It was also tops in the 2022 U.S. News hospitals rankings for New Jersey. Stay tuned to NJBIZ to see if this year is a repeat, as 2023’s U.S. News results are expected later this week.

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