Franklin Celebrates New Emergency Department
Johnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin opens its new emergency department. (photo courtesy: The Daily Journal)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowJohnson Memorial Hospital in Franklin will Monday formally open its new emergency department, but technically the $47 million facility has been open for months.
Our partners at the Daily Journal report the emergency unit was pressed into action as the COVID-19 pandemic started to erupt. The hospital used the new space to care for the growing number of patients with the disease, allowing it to isolate from the rest of the hospital.
“We’re just so grateful because when you think about it, having the opportunity to turn that space into a COVID space back in March and April, we helped so many more patients,” said Dr. David Dunkle, president and chief executive officer of Johnson Memorial Health.
The publication says construction began more than two years ago. It includes a 17,400-square-foot emergency department, a new ambulance drive and bay, and a 33,000-square-foot outpatient services center, which offers radiology and laboratory services and began operations in June.
Johnson Memorial hosted a small ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony Tuesday inside the new building to celebrate its official opening.
The Journal reports the opening date was set for April, but plans were delayed at the onset of the pandemic.
“It feels fantastic, but at the same point, obviously, I wish things could have been better. We had planned for a huge open house with the community. Is this ideal? No. But what’s ideal in the COVID-age,” said Dunkle.
Now, the COVID-19 unit has since moved to the second floor intensive care unit in the old hospital building, and the ICU has moved to the third floor of the medical tower.
Click here to read the full report from the Daily Journal.