What to Expect from the Emergency Department at the new Trinity Health Livingston

Q: How will the new Emergency Department at Trinity Health Livingston ensure patient safety during the transition from the legacy hospital?  

Dr. Vandenberg: A lot of thought and planning went into this transition, and it’s important for our community to know their safety and wellbeing are our top priority. On the day of the move, Sunday, April 19, we will have extra staff in place at both facilities to meet the needs of all patients and ensure we are available for anyone who requires additional assistance. Beginning at 4 a.m. that day, all ambulances will be directed to the new ED in Brighton, while the legacy Howell ED will remain open for walk in emergency care until 1 p.m.; all walk in patients who arrive prior to 1 p.m. will receive a medical screening exam in our ED. After 1 p.m., all emergency care will be provided at the new hospital location in Brighton. 

The community should also know that any patient needing to be transferred from the legacy hospital location to the new ED in Brighton will be driven there in an ambulance with another member of our team, who will ride along with each patient for continuity of care. Taken together, these measures will ensure a safe and seamless transition between locations. Our community and the patients we serve should feel confident knowing we are managing this closely and that they will continue to receive high quality care from us throughout this transition.

Q: What new or enhanced features are being built into the design of the new ED?

Dr. Dixon: The new ED will be double the size of the legacy hospital ED. The expansion has allowed for two state-of-the-art trauma/resuscitation rooms, additional critical care rooms, and accommodation for bariatric patients, patients requiring infectious isolation and patients experiencing mental health crises.
Another great feature is a FastTrack area, which is a dedicated, streamlined area designed to rapidly treat patients with low-acuity, non-life-threatening conditions. By separating these patients from others, it helps reduce overall wait times, increases ED capacity, and improves the overall flow of patients.

Q: Is there any new ED equipment or technology that will improve patient safety and the quality of care provided?

Dr. Vandenberg: The new ED will have a unique feature where the Lab and Imaging services are integrated into the department itself. This will result in rapid diagnostic testing, a higher quality of testing overall, and an improved ability to store and transfer patient data.

Q: What other advanced capabilities does the ED offer?

Dr. Dixon: Trinity Health Livingston is a certified regional trauma center, meaning the ED has consistently and properly demonstrated the ability to provide patients with advanced trauma life support. The ED is staffed by board certified emergency medicine physicians and emergency trained advanced practice providers that care for patients 24/7, 365 days a year. Trinity Health Livingston is also part of Trinity Health Michigan for patients with more complex traumas or medical needs.

Q: Why are you excited about the new hospital, and why should the community be excited?

Dr. Dixon: The new Trinity Health Livingston hospital unites our resources and staff in a single location to better serve the community. Great care and consideration have been made to design a hospital that provides the most accessible resources in a local community atmosphere, which means keeping care local and being able to provide the highest quality of care close to home. It’s not an exaggeration to say this new hospital is going to significantly elevate the care residents of Livingston County receive. It’s going to make a meaningful impact in the lives of future generations.
 

To learn more about the new hospital, please click the button below: 

New Livingston Hospital