Community Hospital Breaks Ground on New Emergency Department

TORRINGTON, Wyo. (May 21, 2009) -- Banner Health Community Hospital held a formal ground breaking ceremony for their new emergency department and hospital remodel project.

The $8.2 million project includes a new 3,700 square foot emergency department with a private entrance for ambulances, as well as a remodel of certain areas and infrastructure in the existing hospital. 

Community Hospital is excited to be responding to the needs of its neighbors. In 2004, the average number of daily visits to the Emergency department was 8.2.  The number increased to 13.6 visits per day in 2008 and continues to rise.  In the first two months of 2009, the average rose to 15 visits per day.  "We are meeting the needs of the community," Natalie Korell, Support Services director says, "there has been such a huge increase in volume.  We need to respond to that." 

The new Emergency department will have two more beds than the existing ED, a double trauma room with a glass separator for provider visibility, as well as a waiting area that will accommodate eight to 10 visitors, instead of the current six knee-to-knee seats.  It will have separate entrances for ambulances and walk-in patients, and will have a private waiting area for patients with severe injuries. 

It will offer more privacy and will have a holding room for patients brought in by law enforcement, and a decontamination room for situations dealing with hazardous materials. 

Groundwork began on the project June 5, and the project is expected to be complete by May of 2010.

About Community Hospital
Community Hospital opened in 1949 and is today a 25-bed critical access hospital.  Banner Community professionals pride themselves on providing excellent medical care to residents in southeast Wyoming and bordering Nebraska communities.