Health Matters | spring 2009

The Largest Emergency Department in Florida

The south entrance to the new ED
When the North Tower opens at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, it will boast the largest emergency department (ED) in Florida. The current ED will expand by more than 68,000 feet and house 107 rooms and the area’s only Trauma Center and Pediatric Emergency unit. The department will be larger than a football field.

Halifax Health has provided emergency medical treatment for more than 81 years to residents of Volusia and Flagler counties. Currently, Halifax Health serves more than 100,000 patients each year at the existing ED. The North Tower will significantly increase its capacity and capabilities to continue offering world class healthcare to the area.

Progressive “Pod” Layout

The new ED’s progressive layout includes eight pods designed to more quickly treat specific types of patients, such as:
  • Trauma
  • Pediatric
  • Fast track
  • Cardiac

A nurses’ station
When patients arrive at the ED, they will check in and enter a private triage area. Then, they will be transferred to the appropriate pod for immediate treatment. Each pod includes at least 12 treatment rooms. These are oversized areas with ample space to keep a complete supply of medical equipment, instruments and medications on hand for the doctors and nurses. This will help the medical team treat patients more efficiently. There’s also plenty of room for family members.

Advanced Technology

To improve efficiency and deliver the best care around, the new ED will feature the latest technology. Among the new tools:
  • Florida’s first GE CT750 HD scanner, which delivers clearer images of the heart while using less radiation
  • The first wireless digital x-ray system in the United States
  • A private energy plant with generators able to support the entire hospital for five days

A trauma room, one of the new ED “pods”
A helipad sits on top of the North Tower. There is room for two trauma helicopters to take off and land. There’s also a private, nonstop elevator that connects the helipad to the trauma pod in the ED, so trauma patients get the quickest care possible.

Whether entering through the front doors or the back elevator, patients at Halifax Health’s new emergency department will experience world class care, right where they live.

Watch Dr. Peter Springer, Director of Emergency Services, explain how the new ED will function like eight emergency rooms in one. For the video, go to looktothetower.org.