The Queen’s Health Systems held a blessing ceremony today for its newly expanded Emergency Department, named The Uytengsu Family Emergency Department, at The Queen’s Medical Center (QMC) in Honolulu.
Government leaders, representatives from city and state agencies, as well as invited guests and staff attended the blessing and the untying of the maile lei.
QMC’s Emergency Department, the busiest in Hawaiʻi, cares for more than 62,000 patients each year and serves as the front door for the majority of the state’s critically ill and most vulnerable populations since it is the only Level 1 trauma center, only comprehensive stroke center, only organ transplant program, and the busiest STEMI center. QMC’s Emergency Department also cares for the greatest number of patients with behavioral health conditions.
The Uytengsu Family Emergency Department renovations include:
- Increasing the number of treatment rooms from 35 to 76
- Expanding the Emergency Department’s size to accommodate the latest in medical technology, including dedicated diagnostic and treatment facilities with state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services
- Enhancing behavioral health services to include a dedicated space for patients with behavioral health needs in an environment that provides the safest care and maintains the dignity of every individual
- Improving patient flow to allow for the safe separation of patients with suspected or confirmed infectious disease from the rest of the patient population, including those at higher risk of contracting an infectious disease due to pre-existing conditions
- Upgrading mechanical systems to allow for negative air pressure and enhanced air filtration, as well as improved surface and air disinfection to prevent the spread of the viruses
“Enhancing our Emergency Department with state-of-the-art expansion will be a game-changer and increase access to life-saving emergent services for all,” said Jason Chang, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Queen’s Health Systems. “We remain committed to the mission of our founders, Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV, to provide in perpetuity, quality health care services to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all the people of Hawaiʻi, and this new facility will help us achieve that for years to come.”
QMC’s Emergency Department was renamed The Uytengsu Family Emergency Department after Candice Uytengsu generously gifted the largest donation to QMC by an individual to support the expansion.
The new facility also features The Wo Family Foundations Waiting Room after the Wo family bestowed a $1M contribution.
The Uytengsu Family Emergency Department is scheduled to officially open and accept patients later this month.
