Phase 1 of Emergency Department expansion completed at university campus
UI Health Care is in the process of expanding the Emergency Department (ED) at our university campus to shorten wait times and improve our ability to provide access to emergency care to Iowans.
This is one of many ways we are working to increase access to high quality emergency care for the local community and beyond.
Making emergency care more available:
- Downtown campus Emergency Department
- North Liberty campus Emergency Department (opening spring 2025)
- University campus Emergency Department expansion (scheduled for completion in summer 2025)
- Ongoing patient education on when to use urgent care vs. an emergency department
With the completion of this project, the ED at our university campus will have more than a dozen additional treatment rooms, a new triage area, and new multifunctional spaces that can support assessment and treatment for pediatric and behavioral health patients. The additional space will help to improve overall capacity, efficiency, and the patient experience in the Emergency Department.
This project has two phases—the newly completed south expansion (Phase 1) and the north expansion (Phase 2), which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2025.
Completion of Phase 1
With the completion of Phase 1—the south and vertical expansion—the ED now accommodates relocation of the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) from Level 7 of John Pappajohn Pavilion to the second level of the ED in the Roy Carver Pavilion. This move is designed to improve the speed and effectiveness of the care we provide patients experiencing a mental health emergency, as well as enhance efficiencies for staff.
The project also created designated space for an adolescent CSU, which will streamline treatment for pediatric patients experiencing a mental health emergency. Both the adult and pediatric CSUs will open in their new locations in early December 2024.
These new spaces will not change the ED intake process. Nursing will triage patients to the appropriate ED intake areas upon the patient's arrival.
Phase 2
Construction for Phase 2—the north expansion—will begin in December 2024 and create an expanded pediatric emergency space that will include two resuscitation rooms, a procedure room, dedicated triage rooms, and its own waiting room.
This new space will better serve our pediatric and adolescent population and help us provide specialized emergency care for Iowans of all ages.
