Hospital center ready to break ground on ER expansion

White Plains Hospital Center said it is getting ready for a groundbreaking this week on its emergency department expansion.

The $9.5 million Flanzer Center for Emergencies and Critical Care will comprise 26,390 square feet. It will be created by combining the 13,000 square feet of space of the existing emergency department with 10,000 square feet directly above it on the second floor. An additional 3,900 square feet will result from an adjacent 6,900-square-foot, five-story addition that will be built.

The first two floors of the building, which will be located on the East Post Road side of the hospital campus, will serve as a new emergency room.

The current emergency room serves about 45,000 patients annually; the expanded emergency room will be able to handle about 60,000 people, according to the hospital. The number of beds will be more than doubled, from 17 to 38.

The hospital also announced a “fast track” section for patients who need less urgent care. This section will include its own X-ray machines, reception area and waiting room.

Other features of the expansion include:

• A special section for very acute patients;
• The Kylie and Louis R. Cappelli Pediatric Emergency Center, an area devoted exclusively to children”™s care; and
• A decontamination area for treating bio, chemical and nuclear-related hazards.

The hospital projects a completion date of early 2009. The building will be designed

by Cerniglia Architecture and Planning P.C., of Hopewell Junction.