Luther Midelfort Northland to break ground on new Emergency Department

Contact: Deb Dietrich, 715-537-9909, dietrich.debra@mayo.edu

BARRON — Luther Midelfort Northland – Mayo Health System will break ground Tuesday, April 26, on its new Emergency Department.

The ground-breaking ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. in the area near the hospital’s helipad, on the west side of Maplecroft Independent and Assisted Living, 1333 Memorial Dr., Barron. A reception will follow. The public is invited. Street parking is available along Memorial Drive.

The current Emergency Department was built in 1982, before Luther Midelfort Northland became a Level IV Trauma Center. Since 2006, the hospital has seen a 57-percent increase in patient visits to the Emergency Department.

“In addition to accommodating the growing demand, a new Emergency Department will decrease waiting times, improve privacy and allow staff to care more effectively for patients who need emergency care,” said Rita Sullivan, vice president at Luther Midelfort Northland.

The 18,000-square-foot, two-story addition will be built near the main entrance of the medical center. The Emergency Department on the main level will be more than six times larger than the current space. Special features include:

–          Increased space for family members to be closer to patients

–          Seven private exam rooms

–           Triage room for assessing the level of emergency care needed

–          Suite to specifically handle trauma cases

–          Procedure room

–          Two-bay, drive-through ambulance garage

–          Expanded lobby with one main entrance to the Emergency Department, hospital and clinic

The lower level will include a new inpatient pharmacy and a large community education room.

The $6.9 million project is expected to be completed in fall 2012.

# # #

Working in conjunction with Mayo Clinic, Luther Midelfort Northland offers a full range of quality medical services, including emergency, surgery, birthing, transitional care and clinical care. Through a network of community-based health care providers in west-central Wisconsin, Luther Midelfort Northland provides access to experts close to home.