WellSpan York Hospital announced the completion of its Emergency Department renovation, marking the end of a multiyear, $50 million project.

The project’s final phase included the completion of the department’s expanded Emergency Transitional Care Unit, which features 22 private rooms, with six dedicated to chest pain observation and a SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Exam) Suite.

Construction on the 54,000-square-foot project began in the summer of 2014. The completed project doubles the Emergency Department’s annual patient capacity. Prior to groundbreaking, the hospital in 2013 constructed a mock, cardboard Emergency Department in a West Manchester Township warehouse to simulate scenarios and workflows. Staff members shared feedback on more than 1,400 items, which were documented and incorporated in the overall design of the facility.

In April 2016, a new entrance, waiting areas, a “Rapid Unit” for treating patients with less severe conditions more efficiently, private patient care rooms, specialty suites and specially equipped pediatric rooms opened. A larger helipad, which opened February 2015, measures 7,200 square feet and features an automatic snowmelt system. The dedicated Behavioral Health Suite, which includes the Crisis Intervention Center, opened September 2016.

WellSpan York Hospital is the third WellSpan hospital to renovate its emergency department in the past five years. WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital’s new emergency department opened in 2012 and Ephrata Community Hospital’s new emergency department opened in 2013. WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital was the first to overhaul its emergency department in 2004.