Memorial Healthcare System leaders, community members and staff came together recently to unveil an expansion of the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Emergency Department.
The child-friendly environment sports a colorful baseball-themed decor, and brings 14 new beds to the table, increasing the capacity of the Emergency Department to 36 beds. An area dedicated to quick care, the “Short Stop,” is designed to treat minor emergencies and allow for quick discharges. Child life specialists are available to sit with patients to help them feel more comfortable. The center is at 3501 Johnson St., inside Memorial Regional Hospital.
The pediatric emergency department is a hub for young patients’ medical needs, offering care 365 days a year around the clock, said Chantal Leconte, FACHE, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer at the Children’s Hospital. In the last fiscal year, Leconte said the department saw approximately 70,000 pediatric visits.