Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is taking a generational step forward in emergency care with a more than $55 million renovation of its emergency department.
The multi-phase project will expand capacity, integrate advanced technology and improve both patient flow and the caregiver experience. Construction is set to begin in fall 2025 and will take place in three strategic phases to minimize disruption, with the emergency department remaining open 24/7 throughout the process.
For Dr. Mark Laperouse, medical director of emergency services, the renovation is much more than a construction project.
“I can’t be more excited about this project because what it says is we’re investing in our community,” Dr. Laperouse says. “We have to have the most efficient program that we possibly can, and this is going to be fantastic for this community.”
Meeting a Critical Community Need
The emergency department, the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, is one of the busiest in Louisiana, serving as a central hub for high-acuity, time-sensitive care. Seventy percent of patients admitted to the hospital come through here, with teams treating between 230 and 240 patients daily, with as many as 90 to 100 arriving by ambulance. The department also supports EMS partners, rural hospitals and clinics, and mass casualty responses.
“We see way too many patients in the amount of space that we have currently,” Dr. Laperouse says. “Even though we see around 230 patients per day, they don’t all come in staggered — they come in during a very tight window of time. We simply don’t have enough real estate to see the patients currently, and we’re changing that with our plan.”
The renovation will add more than 20 treatment spaces, expanding the department’s capacity to provide rapid care during peak times.
Smarter Design, Better Flow
Currently, patients arriving by ambulance can cross paths with walk-in patients, creating congestion. The new design will eliminate those intersections and streamline care from the moment patients arrive.
“You come in by car, you’re going to be in a triage room, and it’s going to bring you straight into our department where you’re going to start getting your blood work, your X-rays, your EKGs,” Dr. Laperouse explains. “If you come in by ambulance, it’s a straight shot to some of our critical beds.”
The updated layout will also support faster triage, more coordinated interventions and easier access to state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.
A Better Environment for Care
While efficiency is a major driver of the project, the renovation also focuses on creating a more comfortable and healing environment for both patients and staff.
“Our team needs a place where they feel comfortable,” Dr. Laperouse says. “We’re going to be bringing in natural light from transoms, from skylights, so that they understand what time of day it is, whether it’s raining or sunshine.”
Other upgrades will include modernized workspaces, enhanced privacy for patients and lighting systems that dim at night to help team members maintain healthy circadian rhythms.
“The environment is going to match the quality of the care that we’re providing inside,” he says.
Keeping the Emergency Department Open
Renovating a facility that never closes takes careful planning. Dr. Laperouse says the team has developed a detailed operational approach to maintain services and quality of care during each phase of construction.
“I was worried about the construction and losing patients,” he says. But the hospital reconditioned two out-of-service ICUs to act as temporary emergency units while sections are closed for renovation.
“We’re going to open sections that look like a really nice ER. We’ve got the operational plan ready, so we’re not going to miss a beat.”
A comprehensive signage and wayfinding plan, on-site support for patients and families, and complementary valet parking will help visitors navigate the facility during the project.
A Commitment to Everyone in the Community
As a Catholic health ministry, Our Lady of the Lake provides care to every person who comes through its doors. Dr. Laperouse says that mission is central to the emergency department’s identity.
“We are cutting-edge medicine, constantly striving to be better, and we don’t discriminate,” he says. “We take care of every single person, regardless of their ability to pay. Baton Rouge is lucky to have a facility like this.”
He sees the emergency department as a place where people from all walks of life receive the same level of care.
“There could be the CEO of the biggest company in Louisiana right next to a prisoner, and they’re going to get the same care,” he says.
The department also serves as a training ground for future physicians, nurses and advanced practice providers, and that role will only grow with the renovated space.
Investing in the Future
For Dr. Laperouse, the project is the culmination of years of cultural and operational improvements in emergency care.
With the groundwork in place, the team is ready to take the next step. The renovation will occur in three phases over the next few years, with each stage designed to enhance operations while keeping the doors open.
“You don’t get to do this very often,” Dr. Laperouse says. “It’s a once-in-a-generation project. And it’s going to make a real difference for this community.”
