Warrensburg, MO (December 16, 2020) — The Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) Foundation is proud to announce they have completed their fundraising for the remodel of the Emergency Room (ER).

In January of 2020, the WMMC Foundation announced its commitment to raise $200,000 towards the remodel of the ER. This project, “TogethER: Transforming Emergency Care,” has a price tag of $350,000, and will enhance the flow, patient care, privacy and reduce the length of stay for patients in the ER.

“We’re proud of the quality achievements in our Emergency Room over the recent years,” said Darinda Dick, WMMC President/CEO. “This project has been a long-term aspiration of our leadership to enhance access to emergency care. Not only does this reduce wait times in our ER, but it also allows us to free up beds for our more critically ill patients. We’re incredibly thankful for all of our donors for helping make this vision a reality.”

Renovations include expanding the current number of “fast track” rooms from three to seven. These rooms are dedicated to treating the less critically ill and designed to enhance patient care. WMMC implemented fast track rooms in 2017, which resulted in shorter wait times and fewer patients leaving without being seen. The ER currently treats approximately 21,000 patients every year, and about 60% of ER patients could be seen in this new fast track area. The current fast track area consists of three rooms and 57% of patients seen in the fast track area were discharged within 90 minutes.

As a result of COVID-19, WMMC has seen an extensive need to reduce exposure to airborne illnesses. This project will also include two negative air pressure rooms. These are isolation rooms that prevent airborne illnesses from leaving the room when the door is opened by having a lower air pressure in the room than the air outside the room. Contaminated air is removed and filtered, reducing the spread of any potential illness. Our waiting room will also have enhanced ventilation to reduce exposure to airborne illnesses.

The construction of the negative air pressure rooms began December 2 and renovations in the fast track area and waiting room will begin January 1. The construction is projected to be completed by April 1. Construction will not impact WMMC’s ability to care for patients.

The completion of this project was made possible through many donations made to the WMMC Foundation this year, including many events, business and individual donations.

“We’re humbled that, in a year with so much uncertainty, our community was able to come together to help us reach our fundraising goal,” said Kathleen Brandt, WMMC Foundation Board President. “We know that the emergency room renovations will make a meaningful impact in the patient experience, and we are proud to support this project.”

To learn more about the WMMC Foundation, visit WMMC.com/Foundation.

About Western Missouri Medical Center Foundation

The Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) Foundation is a 501(c)3 and 509(a)3, not-for-profit organization. Established in 1987, its sole purpose is to support and enhance WMMC’s mission. The Foundation accomplishes this by securing private gifts and financial support from individuals and area businesses. These philanthropic gifts are used to enhance existing facilities, products and services offered by WMMC. They are also used to expedite the construction of new facilities, speed the delivery of new products, bring on the latest technology and expand the medical center’s services in order to continue to meet the growing health needs of the citizens of Johnson County and West Central Missouri.

About Western Missouri Medical Center

Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully-accredited acute care county medical center located in Warrensburg, MO. WMMC prides itself in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedic and general surgery, family healthcare, internal medicine, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, rehabilitation services and more. Inpatient services include medical, surgical, intensive, obstetrical, orthopedic, pediatric and skilled nursing care, as well as a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Learn more at WMMC.com.

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