WAMC Emergency Department at Fort Bragg leaves big footprint

By WAMC PAOMarch 18, 2011

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In fiscal year 2010, Womack's Emergency Department volume was 67,000 patients.

The patient population is expected to continue to grow as Base Closure and Realignment and other grow-the-Army initiatives continue to increase the beneficiary population in and around Fort Bragg.

There are three sections in the Emergency Department: the Critical Care Area, Fast Track, and the Ambulance Service.

The Ambulance Service averages 625 calls per month, including on-post 911 response, transfers to and from WAMC and the Fayetteville Veteran's Administration hospital while supporting facilities and providing mutual aid response to surrounding jurisdictions. WAMC's Ambulance Service established capability at the Linden Oaks Housing area in September 2009, and assumed pre-hospital and flight line responsibilities at Pope Air Force Base in July 2010.

The recently-expanded Critical Care Area currently consists of a two-bay resuscitation/trauma room, 22 critical care monitored beds, two gynecology exam rooms and a special examination room, which supports the WAMC Emergency Department's sexual assault nurse examiner program.

The entire Emergency Department is scheduled for a comprehensive renovation in 2012 to 2014, adding additional clinical space, waiting room area, restrooms, and streamlining the triage process.

The Fast Track is designed for non-urgent, less acute illnesses and injuries, and features 13 examination rooms plus an eye, ear, nose, and throat exam room.

The Emergency Department also serves as the reception station for wounded warriors returning from overseas after air evacuation.