Brigham And Women's Completes New ER After Seven Years

BOSTON — Brigham and Women's Hospital announced the completion of its seven-year project to expand its emergency room Thursday, adding 30 new beds, state-of-the-art trauma rooms and more.

The goal of the new space is to improve the ER's efficiency and to reduce wait times for patients, the hospital said in a press release. Included in the additions is a brand-new behavioral health unit, with softer lighting and reduced noise to provide a calmer space for those who need it most.

The three-phase project broke ground in 2019 after years of planning, and emergency department nurses were "involved in every aspect of the new space," Janet Gorman, associate chief nursing officer of the Emergency Department, said.

"Improving patient privacy and making sure we provide our behavioral health population with the most respectful space, tailored to their needs, was a top priority for the ED's nurses," Gorman said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lives of people around the world, it also disrupted normal hospital operations, Brigham and Women's said. But despite the challenges the pandemic presented, construction work continued.

"It is a testament to the innovative and dedicated team of professionals who work tirelessly to meet the critical need for increased capacity while providing the best health care experience for our patients, families, surrounding community and staff," Sonal V. Gandhi, vice president of Real Estate, Planning and Construction, said.

Although this project is complete, the hospital still has plans to continue improving in the future. A press release says a new, specialized oncology unit is in the works.