News Summary
Construction has officially started on the Nan and Wayne Kocourek Clinical Decision Unit at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The new CDU will enhance emergency care by providing 12 additional observation beds for patients with chest pain. Maui Health aims to improve patient flow and reduce emergency room wait times with this initiative. The project will unfold in phases, with temporary changes to ER access starting soon. A blessing ceremony took place to mark the start of construction, supported by generous community donations.
Maui – Construction has officially commenced on the new Nan and Wayne Kocourek Clinical Decision Unit (CDU) at Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC), aimed at significantly enhancing emergency care within the facility. The CDU will feature 12 additional observation beds specifically catered to patients presenting with chest pain, a common condition requiring immediate assessment and management.
Officials at Maui Health have outlined that the CDU is a strategic initiative to improve patient flow, minimize emergency room (ER) wait times, and ultimately elevate the overall quality of care provided to the community. The construction project is expected to unfold in multiple phases, with the project projected to span into 2026.
To facilitate the construction process, temporary access changes to the MMMC ER are slated to begin on September 3, 2025. During Phase 1 of the project, the ER entrance, registration, and waiting areas will be temporarily relocated. Despite these adjustments, Maui Health assures the public that there will be no disruption in emergency care services, with the MMMC ER remaining fully operational throughout the construction period.
In a proactive effort to keep the community informed, Maui Health plans to provide updates through local media channels, social media platforms, and its official website. The Chief Operating Officer of Maui Health highlighted the importance of community support and appreciation for the patience displayed by the public during this transformative project.
A blessing ceremony marking the commencement of construction was held on March 10, 2025, with key attendees including donors Nan and Wayne Kocourek, various state officials, and community leaders. The Kocoureks made a generous $1 million donation, which served as the catalyst for funding the CDU project. Additional funding was secured through contributions from local community donors, Kaiser Permanente, and the state of Hawaii.
Following the blessing ceremony, pre-construction work for the emergency department buildout commenced. The CDU is anticipated to open by the fourth quarter of 2026 and is designed to streamline patient diagnosis and monitoring for those who do not require inpatient admission. This approach aims to enhance the efficient use of resources in emergency care, allowing for faster diagnosis and better patient management.
This development is considered vital for improving healthcare accessibility in Maui, particularly for a bustling emergency department that often faces high patient volumes. The President of the Maui Health Foundation Board emphasized the generosity and leadership exhibited by the Kocoureks in supporting this crucial healthcare facility initiative.
Ultimately, the new CDU is expected to bolster the capability of MMMC in providing emergency care, thereby improving the overall patient experience and health outcomes for the surrounding community. In addition to this project, Maui Health continues to focus on assisting those affected by recent fires in the region, emphasizing long-term health and recovery initiatives tailored to community needs.
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Additional Resources
- Maui Now: Maui Memorial Medical Center Begins Construction on New Clinical Decision Unit
- Maui News: Maui Health Foundation Plans to Open Clinical Decision Unit in 2026
- Maui Now: Construction Now Underway for New Clinical Decision Unit at Maui Memorial Medical Center
- Wikipedia: Clinical Decision Unit
- Hawaii Business: Maui Strong Fund Grantmaking to Target Housing, Mental Health
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