On Wednesday, May 1, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) officially completed
its three-year Emergency Department and Heart Center expansion and renovation
project. With all phases now complete, hospital leaders say the facility
now features significant upgrades and amenities that patients will begin
to experience immediately.
The expansion and renovation project coincided with the addition of the
area’s newest Heart Center, which was completed in March 2023. The
Heart Center adjoins the expanded Emergency Department to improve efficiency
for patients suffering from cardiac emergencies.
“We’re excited for our community, which has been patient with
us throughout the construction and temporary changes to parking, entrances,
and limited lobby seating,” said Chuck Scronce, assistant vice president
who oversees CVMC Emergency and Cardiology Services. “Now we are
operating without limitations, with a total of 46 treatment spaces, expanded
lobby and better workflow for our staff and providers.”
He added that other features include expanded and fully renovated triage
bays, as well as four new vertical care spaces for less urgent needs to
provide care in a more efficient manner. Other highlights include additional
care team stations, new medication rooms, family consultation rooms, and
thirty-three monitored treatments rooms.
The new, modern ED design creates more treatment areas outfitted for a
wider variety of care options. The new layout of the facility also allows
for expanded services to treat bariatric patients, as well as a separate
and more fully equipped area for psychiatric patients.
“A great deal of research by our leadership, medical staff, Emergency
personnel and industry experts revealed a more efficient way to treat
patients without sacrificing quality of care,” Scronce explained.
“This expansion reflects how the most efficient and progressive
organizations operate. Especially using lessons learned from the COVID
pandemic, we are proud to adapt and grow as our community needs grow as
well.”
Scronce added, “This week’s achievement of completing this
project greatly increases our capacity and ensures we are meeting our
mission of “Exceptional Healthcare. Every Person. Every Time.”
An earlier ceremony celebrating the completion of the expansion included
a “blessing of the hands” and a prayer of dedication by CVMC
spiritual care services leaders.