PCH breaks ground on new emergency department

Phoenix Children's Hospital broke ground Tuesday on its new emergency department and pediatric trauma center.

The $40 million project will triple the amount of exam rooms at the hospital and increase the number of trauma bays so multiple patients can be treated at the same time, the hospital said in a release.

Its current emergency room and trauma center were initially designed to treat 22,000 children a year. Last year alone, the hospital saw 83,000 patients.

"The space is no longer sufficient to meet the demand," the hospital said in a release, also touting its low mortality rate. The expansion will allow staff to treat 100,000 patients a year.

The new emergency wing is expected to open in late 2017.

It will be located directly below the helicopter pad putting patients second away from treatment and x-rays, touted hospital officials.

The 42,302-square-foot center will be located near Thomas Road and State Route 51 adjacent to the main tower.

Phoenix Children's is Arizona's only American College of Surgeons verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center.