Ascension Via Christi

The St. Joseph Emergency Department Expansion was designed to meet the growing and evolving healthcare needs of the community while enhancing both patient care and clinical efficiency. As demand for emergency and behavioral health services increased, the hospital sought a solution that would expand capacity while maintaining a focus on privacy, safety, and quality of care.

The project increases the department’s exam capacity from 29 to 49 rooms, including 25 dedicated behavioral health spaces designed to support more specialized and compassionate treatment environments. A new Psychiatric Observation Unit accommodates 11 patients while providing an additional layer of care for individuals requiring short-term behavioral health monitoring and support.

Throughout the design, careful attention was given to staff workflow, patient visibility, and operational efficiency to ensure clinical teams can deliver care effectively in a thoughtfully organized environment. The resulting expansion strengthens the hospital’s ability to respond to a wide range of patient needs while supporting a more modern, flexible emergency care model.

With these improvements, St. Joseph’s Emergency Department is better equipped to serve the community with expanded capacity, improved functionality, and a patient-centered approach to care.