Myrtue Medical Center has completed a significant expansion and renovation of its Emergency Department—an investment that strengthens the hospital’s ability to deliver high-quality, patient-centered emergency care to the Harlan community and surrounding region. Building on the goals first announced in 2023, the project modernizes clinical spaces, enhances patient safety and privacy, and improves operational flow for both providers and families seeking urgent care.

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This comprehensive transformation expands the department to 8,820 square feet, enabling Myrtue to accommodate growing patient volumes and provide more specialized treatment environments. The design emphasizes flexibility, efficiency, and dignity—ensuring every patient receives prompt, compassionate, and confidential care.

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Key Enhancements and New Clinical Spaces

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The expanded Emergency Department introduces several purpose-built treatment rooms and supportive spaces designed to meet current and emerging community needs:

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  Two private trauma rooms, equipped to handle critical cases with improved circulation and fast access to diagnostic and support services.

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  Two dedicated procedure rooms for urgent interventions that do not require full trauma capacity.

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  Four exam rooms, including two specifically designed for behavioral health patients, offering safe, comfortable, and appropriately controlled environments.

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  A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) room, providing a private, secure, and trauma-informed setting for forensic exams, advocacy support, and compassionate care.

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  A redesigned ambulatory entrance, creating a clearer, more intuitive path for walk-in patients while reducing congestion and enhancing arrival experience.

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  Improved nurse station visibility, giving care teams greater line-of-sight coverage across treatment areas and supporting faster response times.

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Design Priorities

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Throughout the project, Myrtue Medical Center remained committed to improving:

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  Patient privacy and safety, particularly for vulnerable or high-acuity populations.

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  Operational efficiency through better adjacencies, clearer sightlines, and optimized clinical workflows.

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  Community access, ensuring that patients can quickly and confidently locate the appropriate entry and care pathway.

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  Staff support, creating an environment that helps clinicians deliver the highest standard of emergency care.

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A Vital Community Investment, Now Fully Realized

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The completion of this expansion marks a major milestone in Myrtue’s long-term strategy to strengthen local healthcare services and provide modern, efficient, and compassionate emergency care close to home. What began as a forward-looking initiative in 2023 has now culminated in a state-of-the-art emergency department that enhances capacity, elevates patient experience, and positions Myrtue Medical Center for the future needs of the region.

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The upgraded facility reflects Myrtue’s ongoing commitment to rural healthcare excellence and ensures that residents continue to receive timely, high-quality emergency services when they need them most.