HCA Opens Nevada's First Provider-Based Emergency Room in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- HCA's Far West Division, a leading network of hospitals and surgery centers across California and Nevada, broke ground Tuesday on Nevada's newest provider-based emergency room, ER at the Lakes, in Las Vegas. Scheduled to open in the fall 2016, the 24-hour facility will operate as a fully-integrated department of Southern Hills Hospital in Las Vegas while serving patients at a convenient, off-site location. Southern Hills Hospital is part of the Sunrise Health System, which is operated by HCA's Far West Division.

Not only is the new ER at the Lakes designed to address capacity issues at traditional ERs in Southern Nevada, but it is designed to speak to the need of a neighborhood ER as a convenient care next door. Total ER visits and admissions at 13 hospitals across the Las Vegas Valley increased 10.5 percent from 2012 to 2014, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. In addition, several local hospitals declared states of internal disaster in early 2015 as a result of the high number of patients seeking ER care for flu-like symptoms. As a result of capacity issues, some hospitals were forced to temporarily close to ambulances.

Additionally, the rising demand for ER services is a growing trend nationwide. Annual ER visits across the U.S. grew by 34 percent between 1995 and 2010, while the number of hospitals with ERs declined by 11 percent, according to the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.

The approximately 10,000-square-foot facility will include 12 patient rooms and will be staffed by board-certified ER physicians and nurses, with a wide range of on-call hospital specialists. The facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ER at the Lakes will accept vehicle ambulance services and walk-in patients, and will be fully equipped to provide emergent and urgent care, in addition to ancillary services. The facility will offer a fully functional lab and blood bank, a pharmacy, and a full spectrum of radiology services, including CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound. The provider-based ER will also provide pediatric services, with a separate entrance for young patients.

ER at the Lakes will adhere to the same regulatory and accreditation standards as traditional emergency departments. The facility will provide all of the services available at on-site ERs, with the exception of trauma care and medical services for patients transported by air ambulances. Patients who require hospital admission will be transported to an affiliated hospital that meets the required level of care.

"HCA identified a growing need for ER services in Southern Nevada, and provider-based emergency rooms can play a valuable role in alleviating the burden placed on traditional ERs," said Rob Dyer, senior vice president of strategy and development for HCA's Far West Division. "In other HCA markets, these cutting-edge facilities have proven successful in providing community members with convenient, high-quality emergent care."

Southern Nevada hospitals have experienced significant patient volume growth in recent years. The community is also experiencing overall population growth. Nevada is projected to add 528,107 new residents over the next 20 years including 328,379 additional people in Clark County, according to the Nevada State Demographer's Office.

"While the new facility in Las Vegas is set to open in the fall 2016, we are exploring potential options to open additional provider-based emergency rooms in the Las Vegas Valley," Dyer said.

ABOUT HCA FAR WEST DIVISION
HCA's Far West Division is a network of 10 hospitals and six surgery centers located in the states of California and Nevada. From Nevada's Las Vegas Valley to the Silicon Valley, West Valley and South Bay Area in California, we are recognized for our quality awards and accreditations. Exclusive and specialty medical services provide a spectrum of primary, acute, tertiary and chronic care for patients. Our specialized care areas focus on advancing the science of medicine while providing high quality, new and life-saving technology, and safe patient care.

ABOUT SOUTHERN HILLS HOSPITAL
Voted Best Hospital in Las Vegas, Southern Hills Hospital provides the communities of southwest Las Vegas with emergency and pediatric emergency services, a new behavioral health (geriatric psychiatric) inpatient and outpatient program serving ages 50 and older, an accredited Chest Pain Center, a Certified Primary Stroke Center, a dedicated orthopedic, neurology and spine unit, OB-GYN, diagnostic imaging and surgical services. Utilizing advanced digital technology and an accomplished medical staff, Southern Hills Hospital's advanced care and superior service make for better outcomes and an exceptional patient experience. The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America, recognized Southern Hills Hospital as a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures™ for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 – the only Southern Nevada hospital to earn this recognition for all five years since the program's inception. The hospital is a member of the respected Sunrise Health System consisting of Sunrise Hospital, Sunrise Children's Hospital, MountainView Hospital and several surgery and diagnostic imaging centers offering a complete range of specialized and technologically advanced services. 

Southern Hills Hospital
9300 W. Sunset Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89148
SouthernHillsHospital.com

Need to find a physician or get answers to your health questions? Call 702.880.2700.

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SOURCE HCA Far West Division