HICKORY – On Wednesday, December 13, Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) officially surpassed phase four of its five-phase Emergency Department and Heart Center expansion and renovation project. With a goal of completing all phases of the project being April 2024, finishing this latest phase represents significant changes that patients will begin to experience.
“We’re excited to share what this means to our community, especially with respiratory illness season in full swing,” said Chuck Scronce, administrator of CVMC Emergency and Cardiology Services. “Phase four opens the main Emergency Department drive and entrance, and a larger portion of our renovated lobby. We’re also opening two fully renovated triage bays, and four new vertical care spaces for less urgent needs to provide care in a more efficient manner.”
Scronce added that the main care zone containing two care team stations, a new medication room, and eight monitored general use rooms have been opened for a total of 42 treatment spaces. Now, CVMC asks for the community’s continued patience as it enters the final phase of this project. The fifth and final phase will include renovation of the remainder of the ED lobby, two more rooms (including trauma), two family consultation rooms, and a staff support space.
Scronce added, “This week’s achievement of completing phase four greatly increases our capacity and ensures we are meeting our mission of ‘Exceptional Healthcare. Every Person. Every Time.’”
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 organizations operate. Especially in light of lessons learned from the COVID pandemic, we’re proud to adapt and grow as our community needs grow as well.”
CVMC is now emphasizing that effective December 13 the Emergency Department parking area is only for Emergency Department patients and families because there will be no access to other areas of the hospital through the Emergency Department lobby. CVMC asks that visitors please park in the main parking area and enter the main hospital lobby for all other needs.
A brief ceremony celebrating the completion of phase four included a “blessing of the hands” and a prayer of dedication by CVMC spiritual care services leaders.