In July 2009, Mercy completed the third and final phase of its Emergency Department (ED) renovation and expansion project on Mercy's Central Campus. The project was divided into three phases over two years to ensure minimal disruption to patient care. The first phase focused on expanding the ED with a new 20,800-square-foot addition that included a new trauma suite, treatment rooms, ambulance garage and elevated helipad for Mercy One. Phase two added office space and sleep rooms, while phase three focused on renovating existing patient rooms, adding centralized nurses’ stations and updating the pediatric area.

To enhance patient care, the project expanded six trauma and patient treatment rooms to accommodate additional technology as well as more staff and family members. The waiting area was also enlarged to provide more seating for patients, families and visitors.

The project also included building a new, larger ambulance garage equipped with directional monitors to help inbound Emergency Medical Service providers determine where they need to take patients upon arrival. In fiscal year 2009, Mercy served more than 47,000 patients in its main Emergency Department and provided emergency care to more than 14,000 children through its Children’s Emergency Center.