Wayne hospital's ER will nearly double in size
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE- A local hospital is expanding its emergency room as part of a $15 million project to create enough space for almost twice as many patients.
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The multiphase project is the first significant renovation to the emergency department at St. Joseph's Wayne Medical Center in a quarter century, said Michael Cairoli, vice persistent and chief operating officer for St. Joseph's Health.
..... About 40,000 patients were treated in the emergency room in 2025. The department has a staff of 74 plus an advanced practice provider and four physicians, Cairoli said.
..... "Visits have steadily increased for several years," Cairoli said. "We're meeting a growing demand from our community by expanding and modernizing our, space."
..... New Jersey hospitals are notorious for some of the longest ER wait times in the country and similar expansion projects are happening aorta the area as baby boomers enter old age.
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Palisades Medical Center on river Road in North Bergen, part of the Hackensack Meridian Health System, opened an initial phase of a planned 22,000-square-foot emergency department in February. [2026] Days later, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center on East Ridgewood Avenue in Paramus more than doubled its footprint by adding 28 beds.
..... The 9,000-square-foot emergency department at the Wayne hospital. at 224 Hamburg Turnpike will be 16,000 square feet after its expansion project is finished in the latter half of 2028.
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Donors and hospital executives broke ground for the first phase of the project in January. [2026] That portion of work is slatted to be completed by spring of next year. [2027] It will feature a new check-in space and waiting room, and a new triage area.
..... There will also be a low-acuity space, designed to accommodate those with non-life-threatening conditions.
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The second and third phase will encompass the renovation of an existing waiting room and trauma bays. Remaining spaces in the emergency department will get new flooring, furniture and light fixtures.
..... The number of beds in the emergency department will go from 20 to 37, Calroli said. The Wayne hospital has 229 beds overall.
..... Since the project is being done in stages, officials say there will be no disruption to hospital operations. "We meticulously planned the construction, so that it won't interfere with the expert care delivered to our patients," Cairoli said.
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The St. Joseph's Health network includes St. Joseph's University Medical Center on Main Street in Paterson. The flagship location has more than 21,000 admissions last year. [2025]
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The 45.2-acre hospital campus in Wayne joined the network 25 years ago. the former Wayne General Hospital - opened in June 1973 p had been owned by what was then known as Saint Barnabas Helaht Care System.
..... Among recent improvements to the Wayne hospital are an MRI suite and the center for wound Healing and Hypercrush injuries, venous ulcers and other chronic wounds.