Providing the Right Care in the Right Place
Do you know?
• Suicide rates are the highest they’ve been in more than 80 years.
• Kansas is ranked as the worst state for mental health care.
• The U.S. averages a major hazardous chemical incident every other day.
NMC Health is endeavoring to address these growing needs by expanding its Emergency Department (ED).
• 15,000-17,000 patients are seen in NMC Health’s ED per year, and we serve as the centralized community agency for treatment of persons in psychiatric or substance use crisis.
• Nearly 1 in every 20 patients is seen for behavioral health, suicidal, and/or substance abuse concerns.
• NMC Health’s ED was not originally designed to support the 24-hour one-on-one care needed for behavioral health safety.
• Treatment rooms that are designed to reduce chances of elopement, self-harm, and violence are necessary.
• Behavioral health patients also need a more therapeutic space than regular treatment rooms.
• Higher volumes of medical emergencies are also being seen, sometimes causing longer waits. The additional treatment rooms can be used for medical emergencies when needed, expanding the ED capacity and reducing overcrowding.
Expanded Emergency Department
PHASE ONE
• New Ambulance Bay (Fully Enclosed)
• State-of-the-art Decontamination Room to care for our citizens, transportation workers, manufacturing workers, and first responders in case of a chemical accident
PHASE TWO
• Remodel the current Ambulance Bay into a specialized behavioral health emergency center with,
• 3 Behavioral Health Safe Rooms
• Dedicated nurse stations
PHASE THREE
• Redesign the ED entrance to better manage higher patient flows
• Enhance ED security for patients, employees, and law enforcement
PROJECT COST: $3.4 million
COMPLETION: Spring 2025
