Chilton Medical Center celebrates completion of new emergency department
New State-of-the-Art Space Redesigned for Pandemic Readiness
POMPTON PLAINS, NJ (Morris County) – Chilton Medical Center, part of Atlantic Health System, recently celebrated its newly built emergency department (ED) with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring hospital leaders, physicians, team members, donors and community members.
This renovation marks Chilton as one of the nation’s first hospitals to undertake an ED modernization project in the months after the height of COVID-19. The state-of-the-art space has been redesigned for pandemic readiness and represents the start of a new era in emergency medicine.
“The emergency department is the front door to our hospital, and its significance was never clearer than during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Maureen Schneider, PhD, RN, FACHE, President, Chilton Medical Center. “Every detail of this project has been considered to ensure we provide the best environment for our patients, their families as well as our clinical team members. This modernized space allows us to continue to serve our community now, and well into the future.”
The new ED includes the following:
- Thirty-three private exam rooms with upgraded technology and equipment for best-in-class care and comfort
- Additional workstations for physicians and nurses, increasing the number of patients that can be seen and visibility of patient rooms
- Operational efficiencies to reduce wait times, such as testing performed in the adjacent radiology suite
- A private registration area and streamlined process, allowing most patients to bypass the waiting room and proceed directly to an exam room
- A redesigned layout that improves privacy and considers the needs of special populations, including older patients and those experiencing a behavioral health crisis
- Easy access to the Children’s Center, so pediatric patients can avoid walking through the main ED
- New furnishings and décor to provide a more soothing, healing environment
- Updated and new equipment
- Increased security at the department’s front entrance
The ribbon cutting event also celebrated the donors who contributed to the Campaign for Emergency Care, which raised a total of $2.8 million to support construction of the new emergency
department. A $1.4 million pledge was also made by Emil & Carol Simonetti.
Chilton’s Emergency Department cares for 50,000 patients annually and serves residents from more than 33 communities, providing care for people of all ages.
It is also nationally recognized for clinical excellence, receiving the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) prestigious Lantern Award in 2022, which is given to hospitals demonstrating exceptional and innovative performance in nursing leadership, practice, education, advocacy, and research. Chilton was one of 29 emergency departments in the U.S. that received the award for 2022.
