Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, on July 16 held the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. Leaders from the health system were joined by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and his wife, First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp, to celebrate the livestreamed milestone event for Wellstar, the hospital, and the communities it serves across Metro Atlanta, Georgia, and neighboring states. The Level II trauma center is part of the state’s largest trauma network and is expected to be one of the largest and busiest in the nation. 

“As a not-for-profit health system that provides care for communities across Georgia, our priority is the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve,” said Candice Saunders, president and CEO of Wellstar Health System. “This historic moment is the result of an inspiring team and strong community partnership centered on bringing world-class healthcare to every person, every time. The new emergency department is an asset to our system and all of the people we care for.” 

The event was livestreamed, providing viewers across the community with an opportunity to learn more about Wellstar Kennestone Hospital’s emergency and trauma services. The ribbon-cutting ceremony comes two and a half years after Wellstar leaders and state officials broke ground on the Kennestone Hospital emergency department expansion project in Feb. 2018.

“The new emergency department at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital will have an immediate positive impact on our community by serving as a critical care resource to Georgians experiencing medical emergencies or trauma,” said Governor Kemp. “The State of Georgia proudly supports Wellstar Health System and the more than 24,000 team members who are on the frontlines providing outstanding and lifesaving care to Georgians.” 

The 263,000-square-foot facility will be one of the top two largest and busiest emergency departments in the nation, serving up to 600 patients per day and 220,000 patients each year, doubling the current trauma and emergency capacity.

“Wellstar Kennestone Hospital’s new emergency department was designed to continue to provide safe and high-quality care to our community,” said Mary Chatman, executive vice president for Wellstar and president of Wellstar Kennestone and Wellstar Windy Hill Hospitals. “Wellstar actively solicited feedback from our community partners and used the input to build our new facility. Our new emergency department will be the industry leader in best practices, with world-class providers, team members, and service.” 

The layout of the new Wellstar Kennestone ED is designed to reduce wait times, expedite discharges, and enhance the consumer experience. Special features and areas of emphasis include, but are not limited to: 

• Separate entrances and wings for pediatric and adult patients

• A new, streamlined care initiation intake process

• Private exam rooms instead of curtain dividers, with adjacent PPE don/doff rooms

• Flexible spaces equipped to treat both high and low acuity cases

• Planned spaces and processes for de-escalation, isolation and decontamination for patients who present with infectious disease, behavioral health, or chemical contamination issues

• A second floor dedicated to behavioral health with 12 beds for specialized behavioral health and crisis intervention services

• Three separate ambulance bays for different levels of patient severity, with parking for up to 17 ambulances

• 14 negative pressure rooms

• Direct access to the high acuity/trauma care area from the rooftop helipad via an elevator 

• Improved vehicular access for patients and emergency vehicles, and an on-site underground parking garage for patient drop-off

• Imaging rooms directly adjacent to trauma rooms

• Additional critical care equipment, technology and more

The new emergency department will open to patients on July 23, 2020.