A topping-off ceremony was held on Friday, Aug. 25 that marked a milestone in Harrison Hospital’s $13-million ER expansion and renovation project. At noon, Sellen Construction hoisted the final beam into place, completing the steel framework on the new addition.

The origins of the topping-off ceremony trace back to 2700 BC when the first stone building of Egypt, King Zoer’s Step Pyramid at Sakkara, was completed. A live plant honored those who had died during construction. Today’s tradition takes place not at construction’s end but when the last beam, typically the highest structural component, is raised into place. A ceremonial evergreen, and often an American flag, sits atop the beam, signed beforehand by workers. At this point, all pause in honor of their good, and safe, work.

The newest chapter in Harrison’s around-the-clock emergency services began last October for an expansive, state-of-the-art emergency room at the main hospital in East Bremerton. KMD Architects of Seattle, who also designed Harrison’s Silverdale campus and Radiation Oncology Center, planned the 19,600-square-foot addition and 5,800-square-foot renovation. Seattle’s Sellen Construction, also responsible for the Silverdale and Radiation Oncology projects, is the general contractor.

The ER plan includes additional covered parking, 33 exam rooms, plus separate ambulance and walk-in entrances, providing optimal access to other hospital facilities for patients, staff, and the public.

According to hospital architect Ram Prasad, “We traveled to ERs across the nation to examine new ideas. I honestly believe our completed design represents the best of what we saw.”

The expansion is slated for completion at the end of December; renovation of the existing ER will begin then and be finished by spring.

The design addresses space efficiency in a variety of ways, beginning with a universal exam and treatment room that accommodates virtually any procedure or treatment. Calm and comfort were also factored into the design, with rooms private and large enough for family or friends.

The realities of a post 9/11 world also shaped the new emergency department. A decontamination room — in the event of a chemical spill or toxic exposure — provides a separate isolation area.

The enlarged space is part of an overall Emergency Department Improvement Project that began last year with an eye towards increasing patient satisfaction and shortening the amount of time patients spend in the ER. Streamlined processes — from registration to laboratory and X-ray — and a new fast-track system for patients with less critical conditions should bring positive results, say hospital leaders.

Harrison’s ER and Urgent Care staff treat over 70,000 patients annually, making it one of the busiest emergency departments in the region.