JACKSON - Foote Hospital's Emergency Department is getting busier. As a result, it's getting bigger.

The hospital averaged 35,000 patient visits to its Emergency Department when the hospital opened in 1982 - a number that has increased to 55,000 today and is expected to reach 67,000 per year in 2014.

To respond to that heightened number of patient visits, Foote has embarked on a $30 million expansion of its Emergency Department. Construction manager Christman and the building trades are working on a project that will add 37,000 square-feet to the Foote ED, and renovate 15,800 square-feet of existing space.

"This is the biggest construction project we've had since the original construction," said John Tatum, project planner/owner's representative for Foote Hospital. "The work is on schedule, we had a favorable bidding situation, we've had good cooperation from the architect, Albert Kahn Associates, and Christman, and we're pleased that we're using a number of local contractors on the job."

Not only is Foote expanding its emergency department - it's changing the way it does business. When the expansion and renovation are complete, emergency or urgent care treatment will have their own separate areas on site that will be offered as treatment options to patients. A "Clinical Decision Unit" will allow medical staff to observe and evaluate patients for a period of time before formally placing them in a hospital bed, or discharging them.

All Emergency Department beds will be private, single-bed rooms. Nursing stations will be re-aligned to better observe patients. A pharmacy will dispense drugs and supplies for hospital staff serving patients - and it will also be available for discharged patients to immediately fill a prescription. Spaces for ambulances will be upped from four to six.

"During the planning process, we visited quite a number of other hospitals to determine their best practices, and brought those ideas back here," Tatum said.

Site work began on the project last September. When the work on the addition is complete, the existing Emergency Department will be moved into the addition, and renovation work will commence on the existing space. Completion of the entire project is expected in December 2006.

THE IRON'S UP on part of the expanded Foote Emergency Department.

LOOKING OVER plans for underground piping at the new Emergency Dept. at Foote Hospital are Todd Tuckerman and Denny Bordner Sr. of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 333.