Why expand and renovate the Emergency Treatment Center?

We needed to expand to meet an increasing demand for emergency medical services. The original 21,000-square foot Emergency Treatment Center (ETC) opened in 1978 and was designed to accommodate 20,000 patient visits per year. In 2007, the ETC treated 40,000 patients. Projections show that the number of emergency room visits will continue to rise in the coming years.

The new ETC is more than double the size of the old facility. In addition to expanded clinical areas, the new facility will accommodate trauma and emergency medicine administration, teaching areas including a 99-seat auditorium, designated space for laboratory and radiology services, and the emergency medicine residency program.

The expansion has created a modern facility, improving the ability of staff to provide family-centered care and help patients and families access the ETC more easily. Patient care and privacy will be enhanced, providing a more comfortable environment. Even the amount of available parking has increased. When it’s all said and done, we will be better positioned to meet the needs of those we serve.

Who had input on decisions about the project?

Before launching the project, the Department of Emergency Medicine organized conferences on emergency center design, reviewed literature, and conducted extensive discussions with consultants, architects, staff, and members of the community in order to identify its guiding principles and develop a “blueprint for success.”

How much did the project cost?

The project was budgeted at $30 million. The funding is derived from operating funds earned by University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for providing patient care. No state tax monies have been spent on the project.

Is the renovation complete?

The new clinical space opened for patient care on April 2, 2008. The old ETC area is currently being renovated to provide space for additional CT and radiology functions, as well as administrative office space. That project is slated for completion in 2009.