Southeast Health, like many hospital systems nationwide, is being impacted by a substantial increase in patient visits to our emergency department (ED). In fact, this past year we treated around 60,000 patients and we believe that number will continue to increase in the years to come.

While increased volumes directly impact patient wait times, it also provides us an opportunity to make improvements in efficiency and care in the ED. I am proud of the progress we’re making, which is evident in our rising patient satisfaction scores and data measuring patient flow and completion times.

To help us meet this growing demand, the Houston County Health Care Authority (HCHCA) recently approved a $50 million expansion project more than doubling the current size of the ED. It will also add two patient floors above the ED with 52 additional inpatient hospital beds.

In concert with the expansion, we are recruiting additional emergency medicine providers as we continue improving ED efficiency. We are tracking daily wait times of patients being seen in the ED and the length of time before they are admitted to a hospital bed, as well as other factors.

We’ve adapted our existing ED to create more treatment spaces enabling more efficient patient flow:

1. The urgent care fast track has been moved to the front lobby with a nurse and an advanced practice provider to assess and stabilize patients.
2. A procedural area has been created in the lobby with a nurse and additional provider for patient labs and workups.
3. A nursing flow coordinator has been added to ensure efficient patient flow during the admission and discharge process.

We are also being proactive in preparing for the four-phase expansion project to limit the impact on patients. For instance, there will be additional vertical treatment space for patients who do not require an ED bed. They will be implemented when renovation of the ED begins in October.

An increase in patients is not our only challenge, we are also treating sicker patients with more complex health needs. As a Level II Trauma Center, we initiate care for patients with all types of injuries, including life-threatening. If these services were not available, lives would be lost.

We are one of only three Comprehensive Stroke Centers in Alabama treating complex stroke cases with a level of care that provides the best chance of survival without long-term brain damage. It is rare for a community hospital of our size to be equipped with the technology and team required for this program. We are also accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology, which requires rigorous standards in caring for heart patients. These prestigious designations demonstrate our commitment to the residents of this region.

Because of our specialized medical care, we were recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Hospitals for high performance in stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and pneumonia. These awards were earned based on performance outcomes for some of the most common, yet life threatening conditions we treat.

Southeast Health also sets the bar high by exclusively recruiting residency trained emergency medicine physicians and requiring board certification. Attaining board certification requires multiple years of specialized training and passing a rigorous exam.

ED capacity is only one of the challenges we are addressing. With more patients turning to us for care, the Medical Center needs more inpatient hospital beds. With expanding our facilities a priority; last year we opened a new 14-bed critical care unit, relocated our pediatric unit to add 8 med-surg beds, and another newly renovated patient care unit will open in a few months.

Emergency medicine is an unpredictable environment, but we strive to evaluate and treat patients quickly and appropriately based on the urgency of the situation. The dedication and cohesiveness of our emergency department team is leading to better patient care. We are looking forward to expanded resources to help us continue to provide excellent emergency care to the people of this community.