Crouse Health Unveils Expanded Emergency Department

Following a four-month renovation Crouse Health has opened a newly expanded Rapid Evaluation Unit (REU) in its Pomeroy Emergency Services Department (ED).

When patients arrive at the ED walk-in entrance, they are quickly directed to a team of healthcare professionals (usually a physician and a tech) who rapidly assess the patient’s condition. This includes all walk-in critical and non-critical patients.

“As part of the rapid evaluation process, the Crouse ED team assesses the patient’s medical history, performs necessary tests, and determines the appropriate course of action,” says Emergency Services Director Hilary Reeves, RN. “By streamlining processes and dedicating specific staff to lower acuity cases, patients receive timely, efficient care without compromising quality,” adds Reeves.

“This process helps manage ED flow by efficiently caring for patients who need lower-acuity care. This benefits all patients by preventing overcrowding,” says David Mason, MD, medical director for Crouse’s emergency services. “Faster evaluation and treatment leads to improved patient satisfaction.”

The REU project was made possible through a federal congressional grant of $1 million secured by Senator Chuck Schumer. “Senator Schumer’s tireless focus and dedication in securing critical funding for our region’s healthcare providers continues to have a major impact on thousands of patients,” says Crouse Health CEO Seth Kronenberg, MD.

“The grand-opening of Crouse Health’s newly renovated Rapid Evaluation Unit is a shot in the arm for Central New York’s healthcare system. Crouse’s REU will help advance operations in their emergency department, allowing for improved evaluation and treatment of patients to streamline the best care possible,” said Senator Schumer. “I was proud to help secure $1 million for this project to ensure that Crouse receives the resources it needs to continue saving lives.”

With more than 58,000 patient visits in 2023, Crouse’s ED is the busiest in the region in overall adult patient volume. Crouse’s ongoing, dedicated focus on increasing efficiency and improving service throughout the ED has resulted in the lowest door-to-provider times in Central New York.

Additionally, door-to-intervention times for cardiac and stroke care exceed national averages. One mark of an efficiently run, patient-focused ED is to keep the number of patients who leave before being seen by a provider (LWOBS) to a minimum. Crouse has the lowest percentage in this category, lower than the New York State and national averages.

As part of the renovation of the main entrance to the ED, and to increase access and safety in the department overall, a state-of-the-art weapons detection system has been installed. In addition, the physical environment has been designed to support safety and security with an open floor plan that enhances visibility throughout the space.

“We’re proud of our Emergency Services team for their leadership and dedicated focus on making the patient experience more efficient and seamless, ensuring that patients are not only treated quickly, but that they receive the highest level emergency care in the region,” says Dr. Kronenberg.