SMC builds innovative ER to serve most complex needs

“We hold ourselves to the highest standards of clinical practice. Every day, we talk about how we can lead the way and be the best community level 1 trauma center in the country,” Nick Tsipis, MD, medical director of emergency services at Swedish Medical Center, describes. This commitment, he adds, is often expressed through expanding procedures, growing clinical or medical knowledge, and innovating. One such innovation is this year’s development of an all-new emergency department space at Swedish Medical Center.

Improving patient experience

“We pride ourselves on listening to our patients and really adapting to what they need,” details Elisha Nunley, vice president of emergency services at Swedish Medical Center. “This renovation and reconfiguration will give patients more space and more privacy; it also will organize the space so we can have the right equipment and resources at our fingertips, allowing for a quicker response to what our patients need.” The planned changes to the ER are part of a larger project to develop the northwest corner of the hospital. First, a new tower was added to the facility, standing near the intersection of Girard Avenue and Logan Street in Englewood. Next, the ER will be renovated and attached to the tower with a new, more well-defined entrance. “It will be very easy to tell where you need to go as a patient; the entrance will be covered to protect patients from the weather as they access our complimentary valet service,” Nunley explains. Once inside, the new space will have an internal waiting room that is designed to flex, meeting the ever-changing volume of patients. In addition, Nunley details, the space will have amenities such as charging stations for smart phones as well as a more private triage area. And with seven private rooms, patients will have the space to accommodate loved ones who would like to lend support.

Promoting superior patient care

“We are very fortunate to take care of really complex combination of patients at Swedish. It’s what we love doing for our community and for the region — 150 or so facilities refer to us. This new tower and renovation will give us the space to continue to take care of these highly complex patients and really maximize our space,” Dr. Tsipis emphasizes. The ER is being designed with a focus on, what the team calls, patient ‘flow.’ By strategically organizing the triage area, nurses’ station, equipment and layout, caregivers will be able to provide more seamless patient care, getting patients’ needs fully addressed in the department or quickly placing them with one of the other highly specialized teams in the hospital for continued treatment.

The emergency department renovation is now underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. During construction, the emergency department remains open via the northwest tower entrance. “Moving into this new space is really representative of what we stand for at Swedish. We have had a few difficult years in healthcare, and there are only a few places that are able to build right now,” Dr. Tsipis concludes. “At Swedish, we’re not stopping. We’re expanding. We’re innovating. We’re pushing the envelope to provide the absolute best care of patients. And that’s exactly what we are going to do.”