Phoenix Children’s Hospital places final beam on new emergency department

PHOENIX — The final beam was put into place on a new emergency department at Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Thursday.

The hospital held a ceremony for donors, staff and patience as the beam was set into place.

“Not enough space, not enough room, not enough infusion centers,” Dr. Michael Etzl, director of hematology and oncology, said of the old facility. “So, it’s going to be much better for all the staff.”

Etzl said the new emergency department will allow for more staff and patient comfort.

“[Children going through cancer treatments] have to be entertained; they have to have room to have lunches,” he said. “We sometimes have to shuffle patients in and out; as soon as someone gets out of an infusion-room bed, we have to fill it with someone else.”

The new facility will open late next year. It increases the available emergency department and trauma treatment space to more than 40,000 square feet and is designed for further expansion.

The old facility is 18,600 square feet.

The number of private-exam rooms will increase to 75 from 23. The Trauma Center will include nine trauma bays – up from four – to treat multiple trauma patients at the same time.

Dedicated safe rooms will also be available for behavioral health patients who may pose a danger to themselves and others.

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