VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), creators of The Urgency Room (UR) in Woodbury and Allina Health are proud to announce plans for a third UR location in Vadnais Heights at the northeast corner of County Road E and Labore Road. Construction is expected to begin in late August with a Grand Opening slated for spring of 2013. The new UR facility, being developed by The Davis Group will be 14,000 square feet when completed. The UR staff will include 65 nurses, paramedics, guest service personnel and physicians.

"There is a strong push to develop healthcare networks that provide more connected and comprehensive care between all physicians and patients," says Dr. Gary Gosewisch, ER Physician and CEO of EPPA and The UR. "The collaboration between EPPA and Allina is an example of two strong organizations that are aligned on building a more economical, patient centered care model for emergency care services."

The Urgency Room (The UR) opened its first location in Woodbury, Minn., in the fall of 2010. Construction on its second location in Eagan has begun with an opening set for October of this year.

Like the other locations, The UR in Vadnais Heights will provide an emergency medical level of care with board certified physicians and emergency medicine trained nurses and paramedics. Unlike The UR in Woodbury and Eagan, the Vadnais Heights location building will be attached to an Aspen Medical Clinic facility. The UR is the region's first medical facility of its kind to offer a unique alternative to a hospital-based ER for people who feel they need urgent medical care. To date, The UR in Woodbury has treated patients with everything from broken bones and serious lacerations to blood clots and heart attack symptoms.  The UR provides the same level of care as an ER, but with faster and friendlier service. Staffed with board-certified ER physicians, experienced ER nurses and paramedics, The UR offers the best possible care for patients of all ages, including infants and children.

"In Minnesota, roughly 75 percent of people who go to the ER for care aren't admitted to the hospital and don't need hospital-based services.*  Nevertheless, they endure hours of waiting, uncertainty over what is going on, and fear over the financial costs," said Gosewisch. "Going to the ER for acute and urgent medical needs is no longer the only option for patients in the Twin Cities. Instead of a mom waiting for four hours to get five stitches for her child at the ER, her child receives the same expert medical treatment much faster in an environment that is welcoming, friendly and comfortable."

The UR was developed by Emergency Physicians Professional Association (EPPA), a locally based group of board-certified ER physicians who provide ER physician staffing in five Twin Cities hospitals. The UR offers a superior patient experience for acute and urgent medical needs such as severe abdominal pain, kidney stones, severe headaches and migraines, asthma attacks, broken bones, chest pains, pneumonia, concussions and severe lacerations, as well as issues with children and infants (e.g., high fevers). Should a patient require admission to a hospital, direct admission to the appropriate facility is arranged.

Superior UR Patient Experience

From the moment a patient walks through the doors of The UR, their uncertainty and anxiety about the wait time is alleviated. The UR facility and process is designed to make patients as comfortable as possible, while expediting their evaluation and care.

"We've developed a level of service similar to what you might find at an upscale hotel," said Gosewisch. "Our patients are greeted by friendly, courteous staff whose priority it is to put that patient at ease and make them comfortable."

An LCD screen in the lobby lists wait times, which are also accessible via the Web site.

"The streamlined process can actually start before the patient arrives at The UR. A patient is able to go online and enter their name into the system and then come over and we're ready for them," said Gosewisch. "If wait time is longer than normal, we allow patients to leave The UR and run errands or entertain their children outside without losing their place in line. Then, we call or text the patient when a room is ready. We always keep patients informed of how long the wait will be and where they are in the process."

Finally, there is no lengthy discharge process at The UR. The team sends prescriptions ahead to the patient's pharmacy.

For more information go to www.urgencyroom.com.

* Source:  According to EPPA research on emergency room admissions in five Twin Cities hospital-based ERs since 2001.

About Allina Health

Allina Health (formerly Allina Hospitals & Clinics) is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 11 hospitals, 15 pharmacies, specialty care centers and specialty medical services that provide hospice care, oxygen and home medical equipment, and emergency medical transportation services. Learn more at allinahealth.org.

SOURCE Emergency Physicians Professional Association