Respiratory care clinical coordinator Moji Karimian, center, works with respiratory therapists Lori Pulliam, left, and Shannon Dalton while in the nurses station at Erlanger East’s new full service 24/7 emergency center. According to Pat Charles, three patients were lined up at 8 a.m. to use the new 22,000-square-foot, $7.8 million expansion to Erlanger East in East Brainerd on their first day of operation.ERLANGER EAST EXPANSION• 22,000 square feet• 17 treatment rooms• Six-bed clinical observation unit• 50 specialists working in emergency care, with more expected to be added• 15,000 estimated visits in first yearSource: Erlanger Health System
Erlanger’s Gunbarrel expansionBefore the big red ribbon was tied across the entrance of the new emergency center at Erlanger East and officials lined up to cut it Monday morning, patients had already checked in for treatment at the new facility on Gunbarrel Road.
The high demand for an ER in the East Hamilton County community is what makes the opening of the hospital’s new 22,000-square-foot, $7.8 million expansion so momentous, hospital officials say.
“The most special thing about this location is the location,” said Michael Baker, Erlanger facilities administrator. “This is something the community here has needed.”
The new 24-hour center features 17 treatment rooms and a six-bed clinical observational unit. The department also provides full-service radiology, laboratory and respiratory services.