PHILADELPHIA (AUG. 24, 2006): State Sen. Michael J. Stack today presented a $1.75 million check to Nazareth Hospital CEO Patricia DeAngelis for improvements to the hospital’s undersized emergency department.

 

“Nazareth is an extraordinary healthcare resource for the community,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “This state grant will help them improve operations and confirm their outstanding reputation and services in Northeast Philadelphia.”

 

The funding will contribute to this $9 million renovation plan for the department, which calls for expanding the 9,400 square-foot facility to 16,000 square feet and creating more private spaces for incoming patients.

 

Over the past four years, visits to the hospital’s emergency department increased more than 25 percent.

 

Nazareth Hospital determined that the emergency department was significantly undersized in a 2005 Master Facility Plan.

“It’s become clear that the emergency department is too small to meet the growing number of visits,” Stack said. “That takes a major toll on the hospital, its staff and the patients.”

 

Under these conditions, the hospital frequently accommodates two patients in one emergency bay. In this crowded setting where ill patients are closer in proximity, patients and visitors could hear doctors talk to other patients about their medical conditions.

“It is so important to have privacy, especially in a medical setting,” Stack said.

 

Additionally, the staff is forced to deal with more stressful working conditions.

 

“Doctors, nurses and the staff also deserve a larger workspace so that they can administer the best care possible,” Stack said.

 

The senator was pleased to hear that Nazareth Hospital was taking significant steps to expand the emergency department. He was happy to allocate state funding for the hospital to restore the dignity that patients deserve and improve upon the hospital’s vital services.

 

The state funding was obtained in two portions from last year’s and this year’s budgets.

 

Stack secured $750,000 grant from the 2005-06 budget, which the hospital received in June. The hospital will get the remaining $1 million, which comes from the 2006-07 budget, by June 30, 2007.

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