HMH Emergency Department Expansion Brings Added Patient Benefits

Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) officials call the Phase Two completion of their 14,000-square-foot emergency department

Elizabethtown, Ky – Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) officials call the Phase Two completion of their 14,000-square-foot emergency department (ED) expansion another positive step in enhancing patient care at the state’s fourth busiest ED. The second phase adds nine newly renovated rooms for patient care as well as a dedicated CT Scan and a new Digital X-ray room located in the ED.

The dedicated CT Scan and Digital X-ray rooms mean patients receive quick access to diagnostics tools. 

“We no longer have to take patients across the hospital for these important treatments,” said Deanna Parker, HMH Assistant Vice President, Emergency Services.

“Because minutes matter quick access for CT Scan is an especially critical tool for stroke patients,” Parker said.

The additional patient rooms include one designed for bariatric patients and one isolation room for patients undergoing radiation treatments.

The expanded space was designed to serve all populations including victims of sexual assault and those with behavioral health needs. HMH is one of only four emergency departments in Kentucky with certified Sexual Assault Nursing Examiners (SANE). The new space has state-of-the-art trauma suites for even better care of the severely injured patients HMH treats daily.

When complete, the expanded ED will have 65 rooms in a ribbon-shaped design that provides enhanced security, responds to patient safety needs, optimizes flow and provides even more personalized treatment.

Parker said the team is getting accustomed to the new space in stages. 

“That’s no easy task as we care for patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said Parker. “But our team always does whatever patients need even in the midst of construction. I cannot say enough about how hard they work and the caliber of staff at HMH.”

Expansion Phase Three, which began Aug. 10, is scheduled for completion in early 2018. 

During Phase Three, all walk-in ED patients need to enter the hospital at the covered overhang entrance (formerly the main admitting entrance). Patients, visitors and staff who park in the parking garage will access the entrance via a new sidewalk connecting the garage to the new entrance.

People dropping off emergency walk-in patients who enter the hospital campus from Dixie Highway (U.S. 31W) closest to the parking garage are asked turn right and head north up the hill to the new entrance.

Signage has been added to the new entrance overhang, the parking garage and throughout the hospital campus to direct people.

A campus map that highlights the new entrance is available at HMH.net. 

HMH is growing its emergency department to meet the needs of a growing region. Originally designed to serve 44,000 patients annually, the HMH emergency department cares for more than 70,000 patients each year.