COVINGTON, Ga. - Construction at Piedmont Newton Hospital continues as the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Room enters its final phase. The project, which will cost an estimated $9.5 million, began in October 2017 and is slated to be complete in April 2019. 

“We are excited to be moving into the third, and final, phase of this project,” said Bill Love, executive director of patient services at Piedmont Newton. “This investment into our emergency services allows the hospital to better serve those in need of immediate care.”

Piedmont Newton, which was named small hospital of the year by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, aims to reduce emergency department wait times through this project. In 2011, Newton County voters approved $4 million in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) revenue to support the expansion of the emergency room.

The first phase of the project included the addition of a triage area and new waiting room. During Phase Two, which opened for patient care on Nov. 30, contractors added more than 4,500 square feet to the ground level of the existing emergency department. Additions in the area include two nursing stations, 16 patient treatment rooms, a new ambulance entrance, and fully-equip trauma room. 

The third phase, scheduled to begin in December, will include renovating all existing areas of the department. 

“We want everyone who comes to the emergency room to receive the best care in a comfortable space,” said Love. “Increasing the number of treatment rooms and adding state-of-the-art equipment to the emergency department is a tremendous benefit to the community.”

In Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018), The Piedmont Newton emergency department treated more than 42,000 individuals. 

“Communities with access to high-quality healthcare offer a better quality-of-life to their residents,” said Love. “Newton County voters recognized this and designated SPLOST revenue to expanding emergency care services. When the hospital affiliated with Piedmont Healthcare in 2015, Piedmont also recognized the need to continue to improve services and moved forward with the project.” 

For more information about Piedmont Newton Hospital, please visit www.piedmont.org.