REDMOND HOSPITAL CONTINUES TO GROW

Two-phase emergency department project provides service to more

In 2008, St. Charles Redmond expects to treat more than 17,000 patients in the emergency department, said Dr. Matthew Eschelbach, director of emergency medicine for the hospital. The number has grown by about 1,000 patients a year for the past five years and now the hospital is physically growing to handle the influx.

"It's been a greater than 10 percentgrowth per year for the past five years consistently," Eschelbach said, "with the same size emergency department that we've had since 1980."

In a two-phase construction project, the St. Charles Redmond emergency department is growing from six beds to a total of 14, said Beth Reynolds, manager of the Redmond emergency department. The department also has an additional five beds for overflow patients across the hall.

The first phase of the expansion, which took over what was once Redmond's operating area, was completed April 10 and offers private rooms to patients, separated by walls instead of curtains. Bathrooms in the new space are more centrally located and more convenient for patients and additional space is available for storage of equipment.

More than anything, the expansion means more patients can be treated at the Redmond hospital emergency department and that they'll likely receive care more quickly when needed. "We're here for everyone," Reynolds said. "And we are happy to see them."

The second phase of the project, which will expand the waiting room and renovate the previous intensive care unit, is scheduled to be completed by December. "The expanded emergency department will enhance our ability to take care of patients at the Redmond campus," said Patrick Varga, administrator for St. Charles Redmond. "This will be an important step in keeping up with the rapid growth in Central Oregon."