Long wait times prompt Cape Fear ER to increase number of beds

The hospital will add 17 new beds to the emergency room, bringing its total number of beds to 92, officials said. Five beds will be dedicated to patients with minor illnesses.

"So patients that don't have a primary care provider, or it's a late night, or on the weekend and they can't get seen anywhere else, we are going to be able to see them," said Dr. Michael Zappa, the hospital’s associate chief medical officer for acute care services. "We won't have them mixed or competing with the same resources that we use to take care of trauma patients."

More than 10,000 people sought treatment in Cape Fear's emergency room last month, officials said.

Renovations are expected to begin next month, officials said.