WPCNR GUEST EDITORIAL . January 12, 2009: In the current WPCNR survey in which WPCNR put up as an option for public opinion, should the city look into overcrowding at the White Plains Hospital Medical Center Emergency Room and explore the hospital cooperating with Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut) so Greenwich could ease the crush at the White Plains Hospital Emergency Room. WPCNR asked the public this question because the White Plains hospital appears to stressed because previous emergency room expansion was not handling the current demand due to the closing of St. Agnes Hospital and United Hospital in Port Chester. A total of 13% of votes cast to date (49 votes) felt this was an issue that needed to be examined.
Jon Schandler, White Plains Hospital Medical Center Chief Executive Officer takes the time here to assure the public that when the new emergency room opens six months from now, it will indeed be able to handle the current crush and future demands:
Jon Schandler, President, CEO White Plains Hospital Medical Center at recent opening of the Longview Municipal Parking Garage which serves the hospital.
To the Editor:
Your article (Editor's note: survey question) “Examine Overcrowding of White Plains Hospital Emergency Room” contains several inaccuracies.
It is true that White Plains Hospital Center embarked on construction of a new emergency room to meet an increase in patients from White Plains and surrounding communities. However, the new Emergency Department, which will be completed in mid-2009, was designed to serve a significantly larger number of patients – 60,000 per year. In comparison, the current facility was designed for 30,000 and currently serves more than 45,000 annually due to the closing of two nearby hospitals and the growth of the population in the White Plains area.
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Among the features of the new two-story Emergency Department will be an increase from 17 to 38 beds, nearly all in private rooms, in-room registration at bedside, and specialty treatment rooms for specific types of emergencies. The second floor will house a new Fast Track Unit, which will be dedicated to providing rapid care for patients with less serious medical needs. We strongly believe these upgrades will reduce crowding, and our plans have received much support from the community.
Working with Greenwich Hospital to “split the emergency room load” or “establish a Westchester satellite closer to White Plains” would not provide the most efficient and expedient emergency care for White Plains residents. EMS providers are required to take urgent cases, such as heart attack and stroke, to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
It is the mission of Westchester’s hospitals to provide the very best care right here in the county. Therefore, White Plains Hospital Center is proudly expanding its Emergency Department to serve our area’s growing population close to home.
Sincerely,
Jon B. Schandler
President & CEO
White Plains Hospital Center
