Emergency Care Center
Since opening on August 28, 2017 the new ED at Baylor Scott & White All Saints has seen over 42,000 patients. That's an average of 115 individuals each day!
The average door to doctor time, the time from when a patient arrives at the ED to when they are seen by a provider, currently averages nine minutes. The department as also seen a 50% decrease in the number of individuals who choose to leave the ED before treatment is complete.
With the addition of radiology equipment to the ED, turn around times for things such as CTs and ultrasounds has decreased by 29%.
The ED Director, Fonda Green, RN says that although every case is different, the ED staff continue to refine criteria within the department to find the right balance to ensure patients are receiving the right care in the most appropriate setting (triage area, an individual room or trauma bay room) within the most appropriate time frame.
Thank you to each donor who partnered with us to make this Emergency Department possible.
THANK YOU to everyone who assisted and contributed in making the new Emergency Care Center become a reality.
The all new 36,000 square foot emergency department includes:
- Two trauma treatment rooms
- Four triage rooms
- Thirty-two treatment/exam rooms
- Dedicated CT scan room
- Dedicated X-ray room
- Dedicated ultrasound exam room
The Emergency Care Center staff has had extensive training and edcuation in the new area. The design of the center and use of new technology will increase overall efficiency and patient experience.
Giving opportunities still exist! If you would like to be a part of this exciting project, please contact the Foundation office at 817-922-7707.
Check out the video featured at the Emergency Care Center Grand Opening Celebration.
July 2017 Update
The Emergency Care Center will accept its first patient on Monday, August 28th. With the average of 3,600 patients seen monthly and 45% admitted for treatment or further observation (numbers from January 2016), the need for a new Emergency Care Center is clear. We are seeing the sickest of the sick come through our doors. Thankfully, August 28th is not far away!
May 2017 Update
30 Seconds with Bonnie Grigsby, CBRE Senior Project Manager
What is the anticipated completion date of the new Emergency Care Center?
Completion date of July 14, 2017 with State inspection taking place the week of July 17th. After a three week training period for the staff, the new care center will begin serving patients on August 28th
When will medical equipment begin arriving?
Fixed medical equipment (booms, lights, nurse call) will begin installation June 26th. It has to be installed for final City inspections. Remaining medical equipment (stretchers, Omnicells, patient monitoring and everything else that moves) will begin installation on July 24th.
Why the new design of the ambulance bays?
The new ambulance bay area will make it easier for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to get patients into the Emergency Care Center safely. There will be room for four ambulances. Ambulances will pull through the bay into spaces that will make it easier, and safer, to get the patient in the door. The bays are completely covered so patients are better protected from the elements. EMS has a choice where they take patients. By making our new Emergency Care Center much more EMS friendly, it will potentially increase the number of patients that arrive by ambulance.
How does the design of the new Emergency Care Center work for clinicians and staff to respond to patients?
The new Emergency Care Center will have four different team stations for doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff versus the single station they currently have. Teams sharing the stations will have greater ability for collaboration, which will help to speed up patient care. The team stations are positioned throughout the department to be in closer proximity to the patients. Point of care (POC) labs, medication rooms and clean supply rooms are placed strategically throughout the department as well. These rooms will reduce the number of steps for caregivers allowing them to speed up the care provided to each patient. Once of the biggest bonuses of the new Emergency Care Center is having a full Imaging area within the department. A 64-slice CT Scan, digital X-Ray room, and ultrasound exam area will allow much faster treatment.
April 2017 Update
The new Emergency Care Center at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth will be ready to accept patients on August 24th. The new Emergency Care Center will have remarkable technology improvements that will allow patients to be seen, treated and cared for in an expedited manor. Each private, individual treatment room will have its own television.
Construction, equipment and associated services costs for the new Emergency Care Center total approximately $23,000,000. All Saints Health Foundation has committed to raise $11,500,000 of the total project cost. To date the Foundation has we raised $9.75M toward the goal. To assist the Foundation in making the Emergency Care Center possible for our community or to take a tour of the space, please contact the Foundation office at 817-922-7707.
November 2016 Update
Consistent with Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth’s commitment to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service, the Emergency Care Center project will strengthen our commitment to the community as an emergency services provider. As our community grows, Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth must grow with it.
Construction, equipment, and associated services costs for the new Emergency Care Center will total $23,000,000. All Saints Health Foundation is committed to providing at least $11,500,000 of this budget through community philanthropy. To date, $8.4 million has been raised. Continued philanthropic support is crucial to make this project a reality. The primary beneficiaries will be the patients we have the honor to serve each year. Returning these patients to health benefits not only the patients and their families, but our entire community.
We want you to partner with you to keep Fort Worth Strong!
For more information or to learn more about the campaign, please contact the Foundation office at 817-922-7707.
Life is full of surprises. You never know when an emergency will happen. When it does, Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth is here to provide urgent medical care for you and your family – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From minor injuries to major trauma to stroke, heart attack and other life-threatening conditions, our emergency medicine specialists have the expertise to heal you.
The current Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth Emergency Care Center currently handles 45,000 patient visits per year - an average of 135 patients per day. Last updated in 1994, the facility was only designed to care for 20,000 patients annually. As a result, our Emergency Care Center is experiencing severe overcrowding during peak volume periods – sometimes with 10 to 15 patients waiting to be taken to a bed.
Despite these space restrictions, our Emergency Care Center staff delivers superior care. The acuity of these patients is very high, as 25% of patients seen in the Emergency Care Center are admitted to the Medical Center for continued care, with the most common visits related to congestive heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes complications, chest pain, liver failure, sepsis (blood poisoning), and stroke. These patients account for 50% of all hospital admissions, which again attests to the high acuity of illness and injuries being seen through this symbolic ‘front door’ to our Medical Center.
Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth plans to build a new Emergency Care Center to effectively and efficiently manage the current volume and anticipated growth of patient needs, addressing the limitations of inadequate bed space, privacy, convenience and comfort. The additional space will increase in the number of beds while allowing for private rooms instead of curtained bays. A CT scanner will be located within the care center, eliminating the need to transport patients to the radiology department for scans.
Improved equipment and resources will substantially improve patient care while allowing Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth the ability to serve more patients in a cost-effective manner through an enhanced workflow. Our new Emergency Care Center will allow our doctors and nurses to more efficiently assess patients and determine the best care plan for each individual. The ability to care for more patients comfortably within the Emergency Care Center while they are being processed for admission to the Medical Center will have a positive impact on both patient care and patient satisfaction.
Consistent with our commitment to serve all people through exemplary health care, education, research and community service, the new Emergency Care Center strengthens our commitment to the community as an emergency services provider.
Construction, equipment and associated services costs for the new Emergency Care Center will total $23,000,000. All Saints Health Foundation is committed to providing at least $11,500,000 of this budget through community philanthropy. To date, just over $8M has been raised toward this goal.
Philanthropic support is crucial to make the new Emergency Care Center a reality. At Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth, we believe that returning patients to health benefits not only the patients and their families, but also our entire community.
Employees Support New ECC
Four years ago, Ashlee Kirk was wrapping up her education at the University of North Florida and seeking her first job as a nurse. While emergency medicine intrigued the new graduate, she yearned for further hands-on experience especially tailored to the unique nuances of emergency care before making a final commitment.
Kirk was thrilled to be accepted to the four month, comprehensive internship training exclusive to the Baylor Scott & White Healthcare system.
“Emergency medicine is very challenging. It’s not for everyone,” she shared. “I really liked my clinical rotation in the ER as a student. I thought the fast pace was a great fit for my personality, but I still wanted to make sure this would be the right place for me, day in and day out.”
Today, Kirk proudly works the mid-shift three to four days each week as a full-time nurse for Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth Emergency Care Center, which currently handles 45,000 patient visits annually – an average of 135 patients per day. Last updated in 1994, the facility was originally designed to care for only 20,000 patients each year, so congestion is an ongoing obstacle for Kirk and her colleagues.
“All of our shifts are really busy,” explained Kirk. “We only have about 25 beds, so it’s a regular occurrence for us to have patients receiving care in the hallway. Beyond that, there’s an extreme lack of privacy overall, as a majority of our ‘rooms’ are only separated by curtains, not walls. We truly don’t have enough space.”
The most common reasons for Emergency Care Center visits include congestive heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes complications, chest pain, liver failure, sepsis (blood poisoning) and stroke. These patients count for 50% of all hospital admissions, attesting to the high severity of illness and injuries being seen through the Center.
While Kirk enjoys the hectic pace of each shift, she is looking forward to the increased space. “Every shift I work, at least one of our patients expresses their discomfort discussing private medical issues where everyone can hear. I can’t wait to have access to what I need in the areas I work the most, so I can help treat our patients more quickly and more effectively.”
Ground was broken in April for Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth’s new 36,257 square-foot Emergency Care Center – more than double the size of the current space. The 14-month construction project will increase the number of beds by more than a third, all in private rooms with walls.
State-of-the-art equipment additions will substantially improve patient care, while also more cost-effectively serving patients through increased efficiency. Significant enhancements include:
- A computerized tomography (CT) scanner, eliminating the need to transport patients to radiology.
- A self-contained infectious suite and decontamination area with double the current capacity
- Four private triage rooms for quick assessment.
- Three trauma rooms with large screens for monitoring vital signs.
- Advanced cardiac equipment.
- More space for ambulances.
Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth’s new Emergency Care Center is anticipated to open for patient care in summer 2017. Construction, equipment and associated services costs for the new Emergency Care Center total $23 million dollars. All Saints Health Foundation has committed to provide $11.5 million of those funds through community philanthropic support, where $5.6 million has been raised thus far.
Emergency Care Center Groundbreaking
