Mercy unveils emergency department modernizations

Catholic Health announces plans for Phase 2 of the project to expand the existing space

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Catholic Health Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre marked a significant milestone on Tuesday, Oct. 15, with the unveiling of its newly renovated emergency department.

The event, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a blessing by Bishop John O. Barres of the Rockville Centre Diocese, celebrated the completion of the first phase of a $6 million renovation project that began in November 2023.

Joseph Manopella, president of the hospital, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “It met all our expectations,” he said. “We are more than thrilled with the new space.” The project, completed in approximately nine months, transformed the department into a modern, efficient, and patient-centered space.

Renovations were executed in six sub-phases to minimize disruption to daily operations. The project focused on “functional changes” and improved “patient flow,” addressing long-standing issues in the department, which hadn’t seen a major renovation in over two decades.

“It’s a beautiful space,” Manopella said. “We now have a functional and efficient running department.”

Dr. Robert Bramante, chairman of emergency medicine at Mercy Hospital, highlighted the positive impact on patients and staff. “Patients are pleased with the aesthetics,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of creating a comforting environment for patients in distress. “People come to us at their worst moments,” he said explaining how modernization efforts significantly enhanced the department’s capabilities. “It allows us to work and have patients managed more rapidly through EMS and triage and back into the community.”

This improvement is crucial for a facility that receives an average of 35,000 patient visits per year. The upgrades will look to alleviate overcrowding and allow for more efficient direct care and evaluation when dealing with time-sensitive conditions such as strokes and cardiac emergencies. 

“We’ve seen an uptick in volume at Mercy’s emergency department,” Manopella reported, attributing the surge to new efficiencies and functionality aimed at alleviating overcrowding through reconfigured patient flow and advanced triage systems.

Staff morale has also improved. “Morale is extremely high,” Bramante said, expecting this boost to translate into better patient care and job satisfaction.

Looking ahead, Phase 2 will focus on a full expansion of the department. “Phase 2 will involve expansion within the walls of the emergency department,” Manopella explained. “We’re looking at adding additional emergency department capacity, consolidating our express care piece, and adding another 20 or so private patient suites.”

These suites, described as “one room individual patient spaces,” will enhance patient privacy and comfort while improving overall efficiency. While the exact cost of Phase 2 is undetermined, Manopella estimates it could range from $15 to $25 million.

“The next phase of the project will be contiguous to the existing renovation of the emergency department,” Manopella added, ensuring seamless integration between renovated areas and planned expansions.

Throughout both phases, the focus remains on improving patient care and staff efficiency. “The current state of the expansion improves functionality for our staff to help serve RVC and the surrounding area,” Bramante emphasized.

Manopella also highlighted the critical role of the emergency department staff: “We are very proud of the work our staff does. They are the first line of defense for the community.”

The opening of the new emergency department and plans for future expansion is part of Mercy Hospital’s comprehensive approach to modernize and expand emergency services. Every aspect of the project is designed to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

As the hospital looks forward to the next phase, Manopella concluded, “We are excited about what’s to come.” Staff and community members who recognize the importance of a state-of-the-art emergency department in their area shared this excitement during the unveiling on Tuesday.

The renovations and planned expansions underscore the hospital’s dedication to providing top-tier emergency services and meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the community it serves.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​