New pediatric emergency space now open, marking completion of expansion project at UI Health Care
Iowans of all ages to benefit from enhanced emergency care services
University of Iowa Health Care has reached an important milestone in its long-term efforts to improve emergency care access for patients of all ages: a new pediatric emergency space is now open within the emergency department at university campus at 200 Hawkins Drive in Iowa City.
The opening of the new pediatric emergency space marks the completion of the final phase of a multi-year expansion project of the emergency department at university campus. The project adds a total of 17 net new adult and pediatric emergency care beds, as well as enhanced and expanded stabilization spaces for behavioral health patients.
“The emergency department expansion project is an example of how investing in modernizing our facilities helps us better fulfill our mission of clinical care, research, and education,” says Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “More Iowans rely on us than ever before, making it critical to expand access to emergency and trauma care services. Having modern spaces, optimized for patient care and workflow, is an important first step to improving our efficiency and increasing access.”
UI Health Care patients now have three options to seek emergency care: downtown campus, North Liberty campus, and university campus.
"By adding two new emergency departments to our system of care and increasing capacity at university campus, we are able to provide patients with more options and a higher level of coordinated care,” says Andrew Nugent, MD, MHA, FACEP, chair and departmental executive officer for the Department of Emergency Medicine at UI Health Care. “With these enhanced capabilities, we can streamline our operations and continue improving the patient experience.”
A dedicated space for young Iowans
The newly expanded pediatric emergency department is larger and has more privacy, with private exam rooms and additional space to flex as needed for behavioral health patients.
“We understand having a child with a medical emergency can be a scary experience for families, and we kept this in mind as we worked through our expansion plans,” says Nugent. “We asked ourselves – how do we create a state-of-the-art pediatric space designed with our youngest patients in mind? The result is an updated space that is brighter and offers a more healing environment to help calm our youngest patients.”
Families will notice similar design elements to the UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital within the university campus pediatric emergency space, including lighting elements and artwork meant to create a calming, healing space for young patients. Dedicated waiting room spaces have also been constructed.
“Having a separate waiting room will hopefully help alleviate any of the fears families may have about needing emergency care,” says Sarah Miller, MD, Pediatric Medical Director for the Emergency Department. “Our faculty and staff here are specially trained to support young patients needing emergency care. We’re excited to also welcome a Child Life Specialist to our emergency department to add another layer of support.”
Improving access to emergency care
UI Health Care is expecting a 10% increase in emergency department visits across its three campuses in the next year.
“More community members are seeking emergency care at our downtown and North Liberty campuses,” says Nugent. “For example, a patient with a broken limb who may have previously gone to the university campus may go to the North Liberty campus. Or a patient with the flu who needs IV fluids and antivirals may go to downtown campus. This frees up capacity at university campus for us to care for the most complex cases.”
All three of UI Health Care’s emergency departments have advanced capabilities and are equipped to handle and triage all types of emergencies.
“No matter where you go first, we will help you get the right care,” says Nugent.
Patients can check wait times at each UI Health Care emergency department here.
