Sea change ahead in Oconee emergency care

Doubling the size and better medical equipment are promised as Prisma Health’s Oconee Memorial Hospital embarks on a 21-month project to expand the emergency department.  Shovels were turned for a ceremony highlighting what’s ahead as the expansion is carried out in phases, to minimize disruption to the patient care. Senator Lindsey Graham gave the featured talk for his hometown hospital and predicted that, besides better emergency care, there will be economic benefits because people from the outside will note that the Oconee community is a place for top quality care.  In the past, according to an admission by Dr. Bill Chiles, department director, that hasn’t always been the case as the current and cramped emergency department has been forced to treat people in hallways and other settlings not conducive for the private care patients often require.  The project is seen as a boost of confidence that Prisma Health has in its Oconee facilities. Special recognition was paid to community individuals and employers who have, so far, contributed $714 thousand toward.  Two years ago, before the project suffered delays, it was announced that Prisma had committed $12 million toward the project.