Jefferson Hospital Plans $4.6 Million Expansion

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RANSON – Jefferson Memorial Hospital is seeking state approval of a $4.6 million expansion of its emergency department, where some patients are treated in corridors because there aren’t enough beds.

Jefferson Memorial, part of West Virginia University Hospitals- East, filed a request for a certificate of need for the project recently with the state Health Care Authority.

The proposed expansion would add 11 beds and 5,000 square feet to the facility.

“Our goal is to not have anybody wait and not have anybody leave without being seen,” said Tina Coad, the emergency department’s manager.

When the facility’s existing eight beds are full, patients needing treatment that can be quickly administered can opt to be treated in a corridor, which neither patients or staff like, Coad said.

“There’s no privacy,” Coad said. “It’s a clinical issue we’d prefer not to do.”

The expansion also would add parking and a decontamination room, and renovate existing waiting rooms.

Construction could be begin in September if the Health Care Authority approves the project.

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