INVERNESS, Fla. — Citrus Memorial Hospital has opened the last phase of its renovated Emergency Room, more than two months ahead of schedule.

According to Citrus Memorial Hospital CEO Ralph Aleman, the goal of the Emergency Room remodel is to provide patients with a better experience. 

"Everything from construction of private patient rooms to the way our nurse stations are located throughout the unit was done with our patients in mind," he said.

The new ER features improvements in patient privacy and safety, along with updated technology and enhanced staff workflow.

The $8 million ER remodel is part of a larger Citrus Memorial renovation project that began in 2015 after Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) leased the Inverness hospital and committed $45 million toward capital improvements.

To date, more than $55 million has been spent on upgraded rooms, expanded services and the latest technology.

Aleman said construction projects at the hospital will remain ongoing. Some of those projects include upgrades in multiple operating rooms, the creation of an on-campus Graduate Medical Education center and myriad physical plant improvements.