Jackson Health System in Miami is readying a $300 million expansion of its main emergency department, more than tripling the size of the facility at its flagship hospital.

Jorge L. Garciga, director of facilities design and construction at the public health system for Miami-Dade County, said the new two-story ED would total 130,000 square feet. The project will also include the renovation of the existing ED, which totals about 45,000 square feet.

JHS would fund the project with proceeds from operations.

The new ED will be designed to triage patients faster and reduce wait times. Instead of having one entrance on 18th Street, the new facility would have an adult entrance on 19th Street and a pediatric entrance on 18th Street. Plans include 207 rooms, including 50 observation rooms and seven patient rooms, plus a host of exam and behavioral health rooms.

Source:  SFBJ