LUHS opens new renovated Emergency Department

Loyola University Health System (LUHS) unveiled its newly renovated Emergency Department (ED) today. This site has been named the John L. Keeley, MD Emergency Department in honor of the late Dr. John L. Keeley who served as chair of Loyola's Department of Surgery from 1958 to 1969. The renovation was made possible by the Keeley family, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Jim and Sally Dowdle.

"This multimillion dollar renovation has allowed us to make improvements that will benefit our emergency patients and staff while creating a living legacy to a man who was highly valued in his profession," said Mark Cichon, DO, division director of Emergency Medical Services, LUHS. "We are grateful to our generous donors who have enabled us to more effectively care for patients who depend on our immediate care and attention."

Dr. Keeley was a heart specialist and surgeon who passed away in 1992. After serving as chair of the Department of Surgery for more than a decade, he worked as an Emergency Department physician until 1982, when he retired at the age of 78.

Members of his family along with Jim and Sally Dowdle and representatives from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation were on hand today for the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the new ED.

Construction in the ED began in May 2011 after months of planning. During this time, the department saw the same number of patients and maintained continuity in care by working around construction personnel to minimize disruptions. The first phase of construction included installation of a new entrance to increase the safety and comfort for walk-in patients and families. This phase also added a new admissions area, a patient-waiting room, triage rooms, five patient rooms, several trauma bays, nursing stations and new imaging and security sections.

The second phase included the creation of nine new patient rooms, patient and staff restrooms and a nurse station with a radio room for ambulance calls. Later phases, which will be complete this summer, will add nurse stations, a storage room, a bariatric restroom and several additional patient and trauma rooms.

"Patients turn to us in their most critical times of need," Dr. Cichon said. "This renovation will ensure that we will be equipped to offer them the latest equipment, improved care and added efficiencies."

The Loyola University Chicago Board of Trustees recently voted unanimously to elevate the division of Emergency Medicine to an academic department, effective July 1. Mark Cichon, DO, who had served as division director for Emergency Medicine for the past 16 years, has been named chair of the new department.

The new Department of Emergency Medicine has seen significant growth and development in several key areas. Since 1995, patient volumes in the ED have increased from 29,000 to 53,000 patients per year. The division also has instituted several programs to facilitate care for critically ill patients, including a Heart Attack Rapid-Response Program, a Stroke Program, a Sepsis Program and a Hypothermia Program.

The emergency medicine division also has maintained its identity as a Level I Trauma Center providing leading-edge care, which has been recognized by groups such as The Joint Commission, the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, the American College of Surgeons for Trauma, the Illinois Department of Public Health for Trauma, Burns, Pediatric and Emergency departments.

Source: Loyola University Health System