Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital Emergency Department expands to serve community

Recognizing the importance of enhancing access to emergency care, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is investing in the future of health care by expanding Lancaster General Hospital’s Trauma and Emergency Department. A 40,000-square-foot expansion opens this summer, followed by renovation and opening of LGH’s existing emergency department roughly 18 months later.

When UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster closed in 2019, it placed additional demand on a department designed for 85,000 annual visits. By expanding to 95 beds, LGH will be able to treat up to 140,000 emergency cases annually.

“The expansion and subsequent renovation will enhance our ability to provide optimal trauma and emergency care for our region, in a modern setting that will positively transform the patient experience,” John J. Herman, CEO of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, said.

As Lancaster County’s population grows, so too does the demand for access to quality health care. With the expansion, the healthcare system aims to enhance access to essential emergency care and enable patients to receive advanced medical treatment without leaving Lancaster County. In addition to state-of-the-art technology, the new and improved 95 bed emergency department will double the number of behavioral health treatment rooms from five to 10, the number of trauma bays from two to four, and add 13 pediatric treatment rooms. These specialized treatment areas directly address the unique healthcare needs the department’s specialized clinical teams are providing for the community.

Another exciting part of this project is a new expanded hospital kitchen and the renovation of the servery and dining area. The current space prepares and serves roughly 3,500 meals a day for employees, patients, and visitors. The expansion will modernize LGH’s comprehensive food-service operations, increasing the capacity for the number of meals served by 20%. The new servery and dining area, expected to open in April 2022, will combine a restaurant-style format with stations offering handcrafted healthy and locally sourced food for patients, visitors, and employees.

“Hospitals nationwide are upgrading their dining offerings to emphasize healthful eating and wellness, as well as promote a sense of community through indoor and outdoor seating areas where patrons can relax, refresh, and rejuvenate,” stated Nick Del Valle, Director of Food Service & Catering.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is committed to making our region the healthiest community to live in. By expanding the services of the Emergency Department, Lancaster General Hospital will continue to meet our region’s current demand for trauma and emergency care and best advance the health and wellness needs of our community well into the future.

For more information on Lancaster General Hospital’s Emergency Department Expansion Project, and to view a LIVE feed of the construction project, please visit LGHealth.org.