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DRAPER -- Draper has a new emergency room, but it's not part of any new hospital. The facility is actually called a satellite emergency department.
- First and only satellite emergency department in Utah
- Medical services provided by board-certified physicians
- 10 treatment rooms, including one each for trauma and psychiatric patients
- Onsite diagnostics including imaging and lab services
- Onsite helipad for immediate and accessible air transport
The Lone Peak Emergency Center at 11800 South State Street is a branch of St. Mark's Hospital. It's the first of its kind and will only give medical emergency care -- something the growing community of Draper needs.
All the machines are brand new; the rooms have never been used. The beds are waiting for patients and so is the staff.
"It's fun to be part of something new," says Julie Fox, medical director at the Lone Peak Emergency Center.
Fox says by just having an ER, not a full hospital, it saves on overhead and means patients will get in and out more quickly.
"Only about 10 percent of people who come to emergency rooms need to be admitted to hospitals," Fox says. "A lot of people just need emergency care -- more then you could get at your doctor's office."
The new $10 million building has 10 treatments rooms and will serve an estimated 50 to 75 patients a day. It sits on about 5 acres of land, but there's an additional 35 acres surrounding it, which is also owned by MountainStar Healthcare. "As the demand grows, and population grows, we can meet that; and maybe some point in time build a hospital," says Mark Meadows, business strategist for MountainStar Healthcare.But Tuesday it was the ER being celebrated. Many gathered for the official opening, including Draper residents.
"We'd have to go to St. Mark's or University of Utah [to get treatment]," Meadows says. "Timewise, this is going to benefit my family."
The new satellite emergency department opens its doors at 5:00 Tuesday evening.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
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