Construction has commenced on a Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department expansion project in Queens, New York. Recently, the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC) broke ground on the $150 million project which will double its existing department’s size. The groundbreaking which welcomed about 500 guests also had Governor Kathy Hochul of New York in attendance.
Governor Hochul pointed out that the Jamaica Hospital’s Emergency Department expansion project faced some delays due to the COVID pandemic. Therefore, she commended the hospital for its commitment to the project, while also caring for patients during the pandemic’s peak period. The governor said this experience further highlighted the need for safety-net hospitals.
Funding and development plans for the new Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department
JHMC secured funding through the fourth round of the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program (Statewide IV). After nearly a decade of planning, JHMC received $150 million under Statewide IV, which was started under Gov. Cuomo. Now the private Queens hospital is set to build a new 48,534-square-foot facility adjacent to the existing emergency department. The new facility will replace an existing physician parking lot on the property.
The current Jamaica Hospital Emergency Department handles around 60,000 patients, but now it serves approximately 120,000 patients annually. After completion, the facility will accommodate over 150,000 patients yearly. Additionally, the new emergency department will provide more trauma bays and isolation rooms. The facility will also feature two new critical care units, with 22 ICU beds.
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JHMC’s CEO, Bruce Flanz said JHMC’s Emergency Department will upgrade from one trauma bay to four major trauma bays. Furthermore, he said the isolation rooms will increase to 22, and nearly triple the treatment areas. Flanz also mentioned that the two new intensive care units will consist of a 12-bed neuro-ICU and a 10-bed ICU.
Upon completion, Flanz said the emergency department would have 48 intensive care unit beds in total. Additionally, he said the project also provides more space for the JHMC’s mental health program and chest pain centre (CPAC).
