VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

Children’s Hospital of Richmond today dedicated its new pediatric emergency room, the only one in Central Virginia to offer 24-hour access to all pediatric specialists for the care of critically ill and injured children.

The new, state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet the needs of children and their families by providing the highest level of pediatric emergency care in the region. It is located in the Critical Care Hospital at the VCU Medical Center and provides access to every type of pediatric subspecialty from neurosurgery and cardiologists to dentists and oncologists.

The $4.2 million pediatric emergency room is part of VCU Medical Center’s Level 1 trauma center – the only one in the region -- in recognition of the high level of specialty care provided 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“This pediatric emergency room provides our patients and their families a spacious treatment area that allows them privacy and comfort in the most stressful of times,” said Robin Foster, M.D., associate professor of emergency medicine and director of pediatric emergency services, Children’s Hospital of Richmond.

The 11,500 square-foot, rainforest-themed emergency room has its own entrance, waiting room, treatment rooms, a dedicated pediatric radiology suite as well as a literacy center with brand new books for children to take home.

Twelve large exam rooms have recliners to accommodate family members staying with patients. Two negative pressure rooms also are available for infectious disease cases.

All the rooms are monitored from a central nursing station and provide specialized features such as television and DVD access, decorative lighting, an overhead exam light and a computer for ease of accessing the patient’s medical records. Each room also is equipped for procedures if needed.

According to Foster, close to 90 percent of patients are placed immediately in a room upon arrival, which makes time in the waiting room minimal.

“The new pediatric emergency room, through its design and features, will provide our team access to the latest and most advanced technologies available to treat children who need critical care,” said John Duval, CEO of MCV Hospitals. “This is an important day for families in our region. Nowhere else will they get the world-class critical care needed in time of an emergency.”

The waiting and registration areas of the new pediatric emergency room will be named in recognition of Food Lion, which through the Children’s Miracle Network has pledged a total gift of $1 million over the next four years in support.

The facility was designed by the architectural firm HKS and the construction manager is Barton Marlow. The new facility will become fully operational Dec. 13.

“It is a privilege to serve the children of the greater Richmond area, and these children and their families deserve to receive care in a facility of this caliber,” said Foster.