Medical Center Project Designed with Patients in Mind
HENDERSON, Texas — A $30 million expansion and renovation project was completed at East Texas Medical Center (ETMC) Henderson earlier this week. The ETMC Regional Healthcare System and members of the community opened a new emergency department, clinical space and a grand lobby to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“This day provides a tremendous opportunity for the people of Henderson and Rusk County to see the impact of ETMC’s mission of care,” said Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the ETMC system in a statement. “Since the affiliation of Henderson Memorial Hospital into the ETMC system in 2009, we have worked with the local board and community to design a new health care campus that is second to none for a city of this size.”
Construction included creation of a new main entrance, a lobby that houses registration and administration and a larger general waiting area. The new emergency department also allows for 24-hour walk-in access and a covered drive for patients being picked up or dropped off.
The ETMC First Physicians women’s and family health clinics were expanded and renovated, which now features two waiting areas — one for the family health clinic and one for the women’s clinic. New exam rooms and office space provide support for eight providers, four for each clinic.
“The location of the clinic not only provides convenient access to our providers for their patients, but also makes it convenient for our providers to access their patients when they are receiving inpatient care,” said Mark Leitner, administrator of ETMC Henderson in a statement.
In addition, the emergency department grew from eight to 12 exam rooms, with two major treatment rooms. Five of the existing exam rooms were renovated while the additional seven were constructed. Each room is equipped with the latest in technology and glass walls to enable staff to easily monitor patients.
On top of the structural renovations, equipment overall received a facelift, with ETMC investing in upgraded diagnostic tools, such as digital mammography equipment. This service allows radiologists to view and manipulate high-resolution images to enhance clarity and reduce the possibility of patients returning for more imaging.
Last October, ETMC Henderson installed the Ingenia 1.5T system, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner that uses digital signal acquisition and processing to generate images. Because of the increased detailing the MRI provides, physicians can provide earlier diagnosis of medical conditions.
“The ‘new’ ETMC Henderson is a true reflection of the commitment ETMC has to the residents of Henderson and Rusk County,” said Leitner in the statement. “The investment in facilities, equipment and personnel is advancing the level of health care services provided within this community, which is the driving mission behind the ETMC system. This is just the beginning, as we plan to continuously make improvements to our facilities and equipment, and add physicians, in order to provide the best care possible.”