Mount Sinai Queens Breaks Ground on New $13 Million Intensive Care Unit to Triple Capacity

Mount Sinai Queens breaks ground on a new 21-bed ICU in Astoria. The expansion aims to triple critical care capacity and keep Queens patients close to home.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 1, 2026, 11:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Expanding Critical Care Infrastructure in Western Queens

Mount Sinai Health System has officially broken ground on a clinically advanced intensive care unit at its Queens campus, marking a significant expansion of emergency medical infrastructure in Astoria. The project is designed to nearly triple the existing critical care capacity of the facility, increasing the number of intensive care beds from 8 to 21. By expanding these specialized services, the hospital aims to meet the rising acuity needs of its patient population and significantly alleviate congestion within its emergency department. According to Cameron R. Hernandez, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mount Sinai Queens, this expansion is a vital investment in the long-term resilience of the local healthcare system.

Strategic Shift Toward Local Specialized Treatment

The construction of the new unit addresses a long-standing logistical challenge where critically ill residents often required transfer to other Mount Sinai facilities across the river in Manhattan. By increasing the total certified bed count of the hospital from 228 to 241, the administration expects to keep more patients within their own community during high-stakes medical events. State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, who provided $6 million in state funds for the project, emphasized that Western Queens residents should have access to top-tier health services without the burden of traveling outside their borough. This localized approach is expected to improve patient outcomes by providing faster intervention in time-sensitive cases.

Advanced Interventional Capabilities on the Sixth Floor

Situated on the sixth floor of the hospital's main campus on 30th Avenue, the new unit will transform underutilized space into a modern, high-functioning medical environment. A central feature of the expansion is the inclusion of a class 2 procedure room specifically designed for moderate-risk surgical and interventional tasks. This specialized space will be equipped for fluoroscopy-guided procedures, allowing medical staff to perform peripherally inserted central catheter placements and dialysis catheter insertions on-site. Dr. Nazia Mashriqi, Director of the Intensive Care Unit, noted that these capabilities represent a meaningful advancement in the precision and responsiveness of care available to Astoria residents.