By Bill Parry
Elmhurst Hospital Center is one of the busiest public hospitals in the city with more than 1.7 million visitors annually and nearly 150,000 patients visiting its Emergency Room every year, according to New York state data. Administrators have begun the process that will allow for the much-needed expansion and renovation of its Emergency Department.
The city Health and Hospital Corporation issued Request for Proposals to numerous architectural and engineering firms and related consulting services as part of the design phase of the project. Administrators were waiting on bidders to respond by July 30.
The newly expanded Elmhurst Hospital Center Emergency Department will include additional triage space, more nursing support areas, an increased number of treatment bays, five additional isolation rooms, and a larger “Fast Track” area, all designed to improve patient flow.
“Elmhurst Hospital Center is a leading medical institution and its doctors provide quality attention to our community,” City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) said. “The City Council and I are proud to have fought for the funding it needs to expand and we are committed to getting Elmhurst Hospital the support it deserves.”
Administrators anticipate construction will begin in August 2017. The entire construction project will take roughly 30 months to complete with completion expected in 2019.
“As one of the few trauma centers left in Queens due to several recent hospital closures, the emergency rook at Elmhurst Hospital Center is severely overburdened and overcrowded resulting in unacceptable waiting times for patients,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst). “Expanding this trauma center will expedite treatment patients desperately need, especially when a few seconds are the difference between life and death.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
