Bristol Hospital on Monday will begin a project to completely renovate its Emergency Center.
This is expected to be the first of three phases of renovations, which will include an expansion for more space and equipment and a new, 10-bed behavioral health unit. The whole project could cost more than $10 million, hospital officials have said.
During construction, all patients who normally use the Emergency Center entrance on Newell Road to access outpatient services, such as diagnostic services for x-rays and the outpatient lab, will be redirected to the front entrance of the hospital, on Brewster Road. The Brewster Road entrance is open seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Patients in emergency situations should still use the Emergency Center entrance on Newell Road. Hospital officials stressed that there will be “no interruption in services” during the construction process. Visitors for patients in the Intensive Care Unit can still use the Emergency Center entrance after hours and should use the Brewster road entrance during normal business hours.
Maternity patients should follow instructions from their doctor as to which entrance is appropriate, said Christopher Boyle, hospital spokesman.
Those coming to the hospital for non-emergencies will receive a visitor badge and directions to their destination.
“We apologize for any inconvenience; however this project will ultimately enhance the access to the services of Bristol Hospital,” said Boyle.
According to Boyle, patients requiring diagnostic services will take the elevator to Level C after receiving a visitor badge. There, they will check in at the front desk of the hospital’s newly-renovated Diagnostic Services Department.
Additionally, patients of the physician practices based in the Medical Office Building, at 25 Newell Road, will now have to travel down the hill adjacent to the Emergency Center to the main entrance of the hospital for any required outpatient services.
Justin Muszynski can be reached at 860-973-1809 or jmuszynski@bristolpress.com.