Guthrie Corning Hospital's Emergency Department
GUTHRIE CORNING HOSPITAL’S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT continues to experience exceptionally high demand—an affirmation of the outstanding care provided by our clinical team and the strength of our modern facility. As patient volumes steadily increase, it is imperative that we act now to ensure timely access to the appropriate level of care for every individual we serve.
| THE NEED |
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| When Guthrie Corning Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) opened in 2014, it was designed to serve up to 72 patients per day. Today, that number has surged to an average of 95 patients daily, with peaks reaching as high as 120. This significant increase reflects the community’s growing reliance on our facility for urgent and emergent care. Our recent designation as a provisional Level III Trauma Center has further elevated demand, positioning us as a critical resource for advanced emergency services in the region. |
| YOUR IMPACT |
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While the scale of today’s patient volumes could not have been anticipated a decade ago, we now have a clear and actionable plan to reconfigure and expand the Emergency Department to meet current and future needs. With your support, we can bring this plan to life. By contributing to Here. For Good. The Campaign for Guthrie, you will help ensure that patients—your family, friends, and neighbors— receive timely, high-quality care when it matters most. Together, we will reduce wait times, improve patient flow, and strengthen our capacity to deliver emergency care. Your investment will make a lasting difference for patients and for the dedicated nurses, physicians, and staff who serve them. By supporting Here. For Good., Guthrie’s comprehensive campaign, you will ensure that The Guthrie Clinic can lead the way for rural health care. Through this ambitious effort, Guthrie aims to become our region’s most trusted partner for healthy local communities, as well as a national model for what rural health can be. |
Making Emergency Care Safer, Faster, and More Efficient
We are all proud of what Guthrie Corning Hospital does for this community’s quality of life and access to health care. Renovations are essential to improve emergency care, reduce wait times, and ease family stress.
Our plans include:
- Redesigned Behavioral Health Unit
The ED has just two behavioral health rooms, located close to the ambulance entry. Noise, lights, and commotion aren’t conducive to healing for patients in crisis. Their average stay is 15 to 34 hours while staff stabilize their situation and find the right services or inpatient program. You will help us build a self-contained, four-room Behavioral Health Unit at the rear of the ED, with safe bathrooms, a nurses’ station, and two common areas. The original two rooms will become part of the main ED.
- Dedicated Vertical Care Unit
To streamline care delivery, we will establish a specialized Vertical Care Unit for patients with lower-acuity conditions. Vertical care refers to a model in which patients can remain seated during treatment without requiring intensive monitoring, making it ideal for those with less severe medical needs. This approach frees up critical resources for individuals in greater need. By diverting up to 50 percent of cases to this unit, we can preserve the 24 main ED rooms for our most seriously ill or injured patients. Additionally, we will integrate advanced artificial intelligence technology with our electronic medical records to support triage decisions and accelerate care.
- A Safer, More Functional Waiting Area
As patient volumes rise, the current waiting area—originally designed for visitors—must now accommodate those awaiting care. With your support, we will relocate ED registration and triage to provide nurses and staff with a direct line of sight into the waiting room, a vital enhancement for patient monitoring and safety
Making a Difference
