Over an old ER, Golisano Children’s Hospital tower constructed
The newest tower at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse was nearing completion in 2009. It comprises four levels of adult beds and two upper floors designated for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Underneath the tower lies the 1995 hospital addition, which includes a 35-bed ER. Upstate is exploring options to modernize its ER to meet current requirements.
Upstate University Hospital’s leadership is strategically planning a monumental overhaul of Syracuse’s biggest hospital and top employer, as revealed by syracuse.com.
The hospital’s CEO and president are engaging in discussions with state policymakers and local authorities about a transformative renovation of its primary hospital building, with a significant focus on the emergency room. The current ER is considered insufficient and outdated to accommodate the influx of patients seeking medical assistance each month.
The vision for this revamp could reshape Central New York’s only Level 1 trauma center, a crucial safety net for the region’s most vulnerable and ill patients.
These potential plans are anticipated to require a substantial investment, likely amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, and will necessitate several years for implementation. Although Upstate has not unveiled any specific plans yet, nor allotted any funds for the endeavor.
Internally, Upstate officials are expressing concerns about the hospital’s ability to provide adequate care for the community presently and in the future, as per insights gathered from syracuse.com’s interactions with government officials, industry specialists, and Upstate’s chief emergency room physician.
Emphasized by Upstate officials, the hospital’s infrastructure is in a critical state of disrepair. The main hospital, now 60 years old, has several unoccupied patient rooms on upper floors, a remnant of an era when in-patient healthcare dictated building designs.
The pressing need, as conveyed by Upstate’s top leadership to lawmakers, is an expanded ER. Upstate’s Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. William Paolo, highlighted the necessity for an ER up to four times the current size to accommodate existing patient volumes effectively, as the current ER wait times at Upstate are among the nation’s lengthiest.
The future health of Upstate Medical University holds immense significance. The hospital and its affiliated medical school have over 10,000 employees and a budget of $1.5 billion. Upstate’s downtown ER caters to patients with severe injuries from 15 counties, with additional specialized services such as a burn center serving 37 counties.
The momentum for this redesign effort coincides with Syracuse preparing for potential significant population growth, largely spurred by Micron Technology’s commitment to introduce tens of thousands of new jobs in support of an expanding computer chipmaking industry.
In 2011, Upstate last expanded its hospital capacity by acquiring Community General at the city’s southwest periphery. However, a proposed merger with neighboring Crouse Hospital faltered the previous year. A 2009 addition to the downtown hospital incorporated 200 new beds, including the 71-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Over time, Upstate has acquired and retained properties around its primary campus, amassing eight acres beyond the hospital’s existing footprint. Despite this, some of these properties have remained dormant, including city blocks and high-rise structures.
Recent revelations indicate that Upstate’s medical school had intentions to extend and construct a new optometry school on current public housing land. However, facing community backlash, Upstate had to backtrack on its plans swiftly, as residents accused the institution of encroaching on public property.
Upstate’s leadership, including University President Dr. Mantosh Dewan and hospital CEO Dr. Robert Corona, declined multiple requests for interviews regarding their proposed plans. Nonetheless, operational engagements with Albany for additional state funding have been underway.
Various key stakeholders, including State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Bronx) and Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse), have corroborated discussions with Upstate’s leadership, underlining the importance of renovating or expanding the hospital’s ER and addressing other healthcare costs.
Despite these developments, concrete proposals outlining the future of Upstate’s campus are yet to surface, with the institution affirming ongoing efforts to finalize a comprehensive facilities plan aligning with community requirements.
Dr. William Paolo, responsible for Upstate’s emergency care, has been vocal about the urgent need for an upgraded facility, especially considering the anticipated regional growth in the coming years. The current ER’s limitations are deemed inadequate to manage an increasingly aged and sick population, compounded by the potential influx of families with the advent of Micron.
Comparisons with neighboring healthcare facilities, such as Strong Memorial in Rochester and Utica’s new hospital, underscore how investments in modern infrastructure are paramount for meeting future healthcare demands efficiently.
Contemplations surrounding a proposed new hospital tower for Upstate have been highlighted, with considerations for a significantly expanded emergency department capacity to cater to escalating patient inflows. Such potential endeavours are projected to require meticulous planning and significant resource allocation to materialize effectively.
The path forward for Upstate’s infrastructure enhancements is confronted by various challenges, foremost among them being the need for substantial financial backing from state and federal entities, approvals from governing bodies, and compliance with regulatory standards.
Despite the complexities involved, Dr. Paolo remains optimistic about Upstate’s administration’s commitment towards a significant overhaul of the emergency department, potentially extending to a comprehensive revamp of the entire hospital infrastructure. The urgency to address the existing limitations within the emergency department urges key decision-makers to take proactive measures in shaping a revitalized healthcare facility for the community.