Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, which offers one of the largest psychiatric facilities in New Jersey, is embarking upon a project to renovate and expand its emergency department.

The upgrades were outlined during a May 13 groundbreaking ceremony. Under the plans, the Paramus facility will create separate areas for patients seeking mental health services and those coming in for acute medical care related to behavioral health and substance use disorders.

By relocating outpatient services in a 10,000-square-foot space adjacent to the existing emergency room, Bergen New Bridge will increase the number of ED beds from 19 to 49, according to the hospital.

The current ED will house acute medical care patients. Meanwhile, the new space will handle mental health patients with specialized sections for individuals who are geriatric or children.

The scope of work also includes modernizing the nurses station and enhancing all support spaces, according to Bergen New Bridge.

Deborah Visconi, president and chief executive officer of Bergen New Bridge, commented, “With this expansion we are not merely constructing buildings, but we are building bridges of hope, healing, and resilience for our community. We are confirming our commitment to providing accessible, top tier health services to every individual who walks through our doors regardless of the nature of their ailment.”

According to a Bergen New Bridge spokesperson, the project is anticipated to be completed in about nine months and will cost about $10 million, with a portion coming from the New Jersey Department of Mental Health and Addictions. The hospital also received a $2 million federal grant thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, the spokesperson said.

Breaking down walls

The expansion comes as demand for mental health services continues to soar following the pandemic, both across the U.S. and in New Jersey.

Deborah Hartel, deputy commissioner, New Jersey Department of Health, believes the project “underscores Bergen New Bridge’s commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of their community” by providing “specialty services and support” in behavioral health, substance use and individuals experiencing mental health crises.

The hospital is a Rutgers clinical affiliate. Bergen County owns the facility that not-for-profit Care Plus Bergen operates. Cathleen Bennett, president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Hospital Association, said Bergen New Bridge “has long been a beacon of hope and a beacon of healing.”

“With the groundbreaking of this state-of-the-art emergency department, the medical center is reaffirming its commitment to providing the highest quality of care to those in need, especially during critical times,” she stated.

County executive James Tedesco commented, “We are going to break walls down to make an emergency department that will allow people to get acute care, the emergency care they critically need in way that is dignified. Bergen New Bridge has proven itself as a leader in healthcare and with this groundbreaking for the expanded emergency department, the future of the county’s hospital has never been brighter.”