By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-906321.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A brand new emergency room was unvieled at the Erie County Medical Center.
The hospital completed a $2.9 million project. The new ER department includes a state of the art emergency room and surgical suites.
Click the audio player above to hear Eileen Buckley's full story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.
ECMC leaders, health care professionals and lawmakers gathered in the brand new facility Monday afternoon. The hospital says the new ER will ease prolonged waiting times for its patients.
ECMC CEO Jody Lomeo said anyone could need the emergency services at any point in their lives.
"Each and every year the volumes in our emergency department continue to grow. Right now, we are roughly around 60,000 emergency visits per year and it seems to be trending higher," said Lomeo.
Monday's ribbon cutting of the new ER included a former patient. Nate Smith was severely injured ten years ago in a car accident.
Smith spent three months at ECMC's trauma unit. He had tears in his eyes as he recalled the treatment he received at ECMC.
"I, like thousands of other people, have been wheeled in this place near death and have lived to tell of the miracle house," said Smith.
Western New York Congress woman Louise Slaugther helped deliver almost $300,000 for the porject from the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bil for the project.
"I'm happy to be a small part of it," noted Slaughter.
The new emergency room features eight new exam rooms, a major trauma treatment room, and two trauma operating rooms. 25 new jobs will also be created as a result of the federal funding at the hospital.