Saint Joseph Medical Center opened a large new facility in Bern Township today. It was the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. Today was also the day of the big move and the Reading Fire Department EMS was there to help. Along with our colleagues from EMS units all over the county, we descended on the hospital to help them move their most precious charge, the patients. Ambulances and transport units lined both sides of North 12th Street in front of the emergency department where all the patients would pass.
After a short meeting with the move coordinator, the litters began lining up. Then one by one they came. The patients in need of the most care went first. They were usually accompanied by an ER nurse along with the paramedics. Next came those needing less critical care, followed by those that were able to go by wheelchair. One floor after the other. The patients were collected in their rooms. Past the nurses station, down the elevators and through the halls of the Emergency Room, which was stripped of most of it's equipment and it's function.
The Emergency department of the Bern Township facility opened at 06:00 and that was when the 12th Street ER was to close. Although the department was closed the staff didn't stop seeing patients. One person came in on foot and needed work up that only could be provided at the new facility. A Reading EMS crew responded and transported the patient to the new facility.
The move went off without a hitch, at least none that anyone noticed. About half way through the move it was announced that the first baby was born at the new facility. A cheer went out. The ER doctor on duty for the day wore his tux. By 11:30 things had quieted down considerably, the EMS crews took a break and munched on lunches provided by the hospital. There were no tears that we noticed but we're sure they came later, when the beds and halls were quiet and the memories of 133 years of care at the top of the hill become mere memories.
