Stockbridge, Ga. (Dec. 4, 2018) – As part of its efforts to expand capacity to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community, Piedmont Henry Hospital opened a new 20-bed observation unit on Dec. 3. The 13,945-square-foot renovation project’s cost is estimated at $6.4 million.

The busiest in the Piedmont Healthcare system, Piedmont Henry’s emergency department (ED) serves close to 90,000 patients each year. The addition of the 20-bed unit is expected to improve the flow of patients and help reduce wait times in the department.

“Long wait times in the ED are often due to the lack of bed capacity to move admitted patients out of the ED,” said James Atkins, chief operating officer at Piedmont Henry Hospital. “This new space will help ease the existing capacity issues by allowing us to treat more patients in a safe, comfortable and timely manner.”

 In addition to this project, the hospital recently opened a new transitional care unit (TCU) in October 2018, adding 12 more beds to accommodate patients admitted through the ED or physician office.

Further expansion plans are also underway with the addition of 18 new treatment spaces at Piedmont Henry’s emergency department. That renovation project, which is designed to expedite the ED process for non-emergent patients, is slated to begin in January 2019.