Emergency medical care is rapidly evolving in North Carolina and Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC is working with WakeMed Health and Hospitals to ensure its client continues to remain a leader in the health care industry.
Brasfield & Gorrie's Raleigh office served as general contractor for both of WakeMed's free-standing emergency departments, North Healthplex and Apex Healthplex. To date, North Healthplex and Apex Healthplex are the only two free-standing emergency departments in the state. However, the innovative concept is gaining popularity nationwide.
WakeMed North Healthplex, located in Raleigh, N.C., was the first free-standing clinic constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie in November 2001. The facility was designed to provide relief for the emergency department at the WakeMed North full-service hospital.
Upon its completion, the $15-million development featured a four-story, 102,000-square-foot facility that also served as a medical office building and outpatient center. The facility includes an ambulatory surgery suite, radiology and rehabilitation suites. WakeMed North is considered to be the largest satellite campus for WakeMed. This development won several awards including the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Commendation of Merit, 2003 Excellence in Construction Award by the ABC of the Carolinas, and the Triangle Business Journal Edge Construction Excellence Award.
Following the success of the North Healthplex project, Brasfield & Gorrie served as general contractor of the WakeMed Apex Healthplex. Construction began in November 2006 and the project was fully completed in January 2008. Apex is an 85,000-square-foot facility located on a 16-acre lot that includes a helipad for emergency transports. The emergency department occupies 26,000 square feet of the total space.
The first phase of the $20-million project consisted of 11 exam rooms, two triage rooms, one resuscitation room, two x-ray rooms, one radio fluoroscopy room, one CAT scan room, two mammography rooms, one ultrasound room, and one bone density room. Phase Two included the 2,400-square-foot build-out of the on-site pharmacy and laboratory. The basement, second and third floors are reserved for future growth and house essential mechanical/electrical/plumbing space.
Missy Warren, project manager for the WakeMed North Healthplex, said WakeMed has served as a model for what other companies would like to follow in the near future.
"The free-standing emergency departments are showcases for both WakeMed and Brasfield & Gorrie. I give tours of both facilities several times a year to clients who are planning to start a similar program. It has been an exciting and unique opportunity for us, and we are hoping to continue working with WakeMed on more facilities in the near future," Warren said.
"Now, instead of driving 45 minutes to the closest hospital, patients in need of emergency care can visit a free-standing clinic just a short drive from their house," said Glenda Owens, marketing manager. "WakeMed is providing a service to the community, and we're proud to be a part of it," she added.
Brasfield & Gorrie is currently involved with various projects for WakeMed Health and Hospitals throughout the area.
"They're an excellent client," said Superintendent Barbee Glover, who supervised both Healthplex jobs. "They're always understanding and love our work because we make them a top priority at all times," he continued.
WakeMed has been a consistent client of Brasfield & Gorrie since 2000.