Manistee Hospital Reopens Renovated Emergency Department

Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital Emergency Department staff began seeing patients in their newly renovated facility today.

The $2.5 million project includes private rooms, enhanced lighting, a better fire suppression system, airborne isolation rooms, a decontamination area, and more.

“We are so thankful for those who have supported this project through donations and to all of our staff, contractors, and architects who have labored to make it possible,” said Kelly Tomaszewski, community president for Manistee Hospital. “We have increased and improved our Emergency Department space and we’re now really able to improve the flow of patients through the department.”

The renovated facility features:

• Larger private rooms for patient and family comfort that include specially designed rooms for behavioral health patients.
• Three new airborne isolation rooms for patients with infectious illness, such as COVID-19.
• A new layout to improve patient traffic and workflow for staff.
• Ceiling mounted patient lifts to increase patient safety and reduce the risk of strain or injury for staff.
• A decontamination room that is accessible from the outside for patients who may have been exposed to chemical or biological agents that could pose harm to ED patients and staff.

Tomaszewski said the department sees more than 14,000 patients a year.

The project’s $1.1 million fundraising goal through Munson Healthcare Foundations included more than 1,000 donations.

Emergency Department Manager Deb Bowman, R.N., said it is exciting to see the updated space and return from the hospital’s third-floor location where ED staff have served patients for the past year.

“Our staff are looking forward to continuing to provide great care to the members and visitors of our community in the updated space,” she said.

More information on services at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital can be found at munsonhealthcare.org/Manistee.