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Riverside Healthcare is launching the first complete remodel of their Emergency Department in nearly three decades. The 16-month construction project will better serve the community's current and future needs, improve patient safety, and enhance the patient experience.

“Our goal is to continually advance patient safety and ensure our emergency room is meeting patient needs,” said Phil Kambic, Riverside Healthcare President and CEO. “The modernization of the emergency department will better serve our patients and staff members, which in turn will make for an overall better patient experience.”

Some aspects of the remodel project that will enhance patient care include:

Increased Use of Negative Pressure


Negative pressure prevents airborne diseases, such as COVID-19 or the flu, which can rapidly spread if left unchecked, from escaping the space of an infected patient. With negative pressure, contaminated air or other dangerous particles from inside an area will not flow outside into non-contaminated areas. Negative pressure creates a safer environment for not only patients but also visitors and department staff members.

Improved Treatment Spaces


The new layout will include six rapid treatment spaces to help lower wait times for patients. These spaces provide opportunities for less extreme cases to be treated quickly.

Additionally, the new emergency department will offer two adjacent trauma rooms. This layout will help Riverside continue to serve the area as a Level II Trauma Center and treat severe cases more effectively.

More Behavioral Health Rooms


In looking at the needs of the community Riverside serves, it became essential that the safety of emergency patients with behavioral health concerns was critical. The new department provides a secure environment for these patients. Specially designed rooms will offer flexibility to convert from treating physical ailments to behavioral concerns.

“The emergency room is that safe place to go if you're sick. That's the first place to go. It's essential to the hospital. It's essential to the community,” commented Deanna Booker, RN SANE-A, TNS, Emergency Room Nurse.

Enhanced Privacy


“We want to make sure patients are as comfortable as possible, and privacy is a significant part of a patient's level of comfortability,” Kambic said. “This remodel allows us to improve the privacy patients and their loved ones experience throughout their entire experience in the emergency department.”

Technology


New technology in the emergency department will play an increased role in patient safety and monitoring. A new command central will allow physicians and nurses to monitor patient safety through video and respond to department needs quickly and efficiently.

During construction, the emergency department will remain open 24-hours, seven days a week. Construction will not impact emergency department wait times or patient care. Patients are encouraged to follow signage outside Riverside Medical Center to ensure they use the correct access points to the emergency department.

Patients should contact the Riverside Emergency Department directly at (815) 935-7500 for any questions regarding access. Safety and patient care will continue to be the top priorities throughout the remodel.

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