By Dan Hounsell

As healthcare systems nationwide begin the long process of returning to pre-pandemic levels of operation, a growing number of facilities are undertaking new construction and expansion projects.

For example, Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in Arkansas will begin construction on a $162 million expansion of its emergency room and intensive care unit (ICU) in early 2022 with completion estimated in 2024. The project also includes adding more parking at the hospital, according to Talking Business & Politics.

The project is part of several recent projects that continue to expand Mercy’s operations in the Fort Smith region. The Fort Smith hospital will expand its emergency room from 29 to 50 rooms and increase ICU capacity from 38 to 64. Multilevel parking also will add 140 parking spaces to accommodate the expansion with parking closer to the new emergency room entrance.

The expanded emergency department will allow for about 25,000 more patient visits per year and include special considerations for infectious disease and behavioral health patients.