LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The term emergency waiting room is so yesterday! Baptist Health officials unveiled the hospital's emergency welcome center. It's more spacious than the previous one.
"Many patients bring 3 family members with them. We need a place for them. We need a comfortable place for them," said Doug Weeks, the hospital's senior vice president.
After talking to nurses in a private room, the medical professional relays that information to doctors. The mad dash begins to bring the patient relief.
"If the patient presents the emergency department with a painful condition, we address that as quickly and as appropriately as possible," said Dr. Wendell Pahls, the hospital's medical director.
Patients go to one of the nine patient care rooms and instead of that normal shower curtain for privacy, each room has a door attached to it.
The trauma rooms are bigger, too.
"Sometimes we had to see patients out in the hallways in the hall beds when we were strapped for beds," said Dr. Pahls.
While no one desires to go to the emergency room, doctors hope the ones they serve get the quick, effective care in their most desperate hour.
"In many hospitals, the emergency department is looked at almost as an afterthought, something that's the backdoor of the hospital. This clearly communicates to the patients coming in that this is the front door. This is the face of Baptist Health," said Pahls.
