Fort Walton Beach (Fla.) Medical Center unveiled a rooftop helipad Monday, the first of a three phase, $20 million emergency room expansion, according to a Northwest Florida Daily News report.
"The helipad is kind of a symbol of our ability to get patients here quicker, get them into our system faster and get them seen by trauma specialists, which goes towards reducing mortality," said Eric Schuck, MD, site medical director for emergency services and chief of staff at the hospital.
FWBMC has seen a 50 percent reduction in trauma mortality rates since it was designated as a Level II trauma center last year, Dr. Schuck added.
Along with the helipad, the first phase of the ER expansion includes 14 high-tech patient rooms, said Todd Jackson, COO of FWBMC. The final two phases of the project, which will redesign existing ER space, will bring the total number of ER beds to 40 and upgrade equipment and layout to better care for both trauma and low acuity patients, Mr. Jackson said.
Phases two and three are expected to be finished summer 2019.