Major upgrade at Harbor-UCLA hospital is imminent

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is poised for a major expansion after Los Angeles County supervisors voted to approve the final piece of a $333-million plan to expand the facility's emergency department and renovate the surgical ward. The emergency room will grow from 25,000 square feet with 42 bays to 75,000 square feet with 80 bays, providing enhanced privacy. The existing facility treats 65,000 adults and 20,000 children every year. Patients with critical injuries are examined within minutes, but patients seeking more routine care can sometimes wait more than 16 hours and officials hope the expansion will relieve overcrowding.