St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson opening larger emergency department

St. Charles Hospital is slated to start admitting patients to its expanded emergency department on Monday, according to Catholic Health, its parent organization. 

The Port Jefferson hospital used a $4.2 million state grant and invested another $6.8 million in the project. Its emergency department now has 27 treatment bays and a larger waiting room. Seven of these beds are set apart by a sliding wall and have their own bathroom, creating a more private environment for patients with chemical dependency, St. Charles President James O'Connor said.

The arrangement will improve the experience for everyone, since people going through medically supervised withdrawal tend to want privacy, and the distress that accompanies withdrawal can make other patients uncomfortable, O'Connor said.

"That particular population has very, very special needs," O'Connor said. "They really need quiet areas." 

About 17% of the 18,000 patients who come through the emergency department each year are patients looking for clinician guidance and supervision with withdrawal, O'Connor said.

By Sarina Trangle

sarina.trangle@newsday.comSarinaTrangle

Sarina Trangle covers affordability and cost of living issues and other business topics. She previously worked as an editor and reporter at amNewYork.