The Advantages of 24/7 Emergency Care, Close to Home
June 30, 2020
Construction is nearing completion of the first freestanding emergency department in the area. ER at McCarran NW, an extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, is expected to open late summer 2020, and is located about 15 minutes away from Northern Nevada Medical Center.
"This is very important for the expanding communities in our region," says Helen Lidholm, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Nevada Medical Center. "The new facility will provide around-the-clock care within the same scope of our hospital ED in Sparks."
Treatments and Services
ER at McCarran NW will feature 10 treatment rooms and will operate similarly to a hospital emergency department. A skilled team of emergency-trained physicians, nurses and technical staff will provide:
- Laboratory services
- Respiratory treatment
- X-ray, CT scan and ultrasound
- Medications and fluids
- Cardiopulmonary monitoring
- Other services
Conditions Treated
Types of conditions that can be treated include:
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Minor lacerations
- Skin rashes
- Flu, fever, and pneumonia
- Strep throat
- Asthma
- Allergic reactions
- Sinus infections
- Broken bones
Patients who need to be transferred to a full-service hospital such as Northern Nevada Medical Center can be admitted directly, without a trip through the hospital’s emergency room, and their information will transfer electronically to the hospital. Hospital staff will be ready to continue care when the patient arrives. ER at McCarran NW accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
ER at McCarran NW is the region's only hospital-based local freestanding emergency facility operated under a hospital license. Because of that, it is held to the same standards as if it were located in the hospital. "Operating under a hospital license offers better protection for the patient. For example, ER at McCarran NW will be required to submit quality reports that are made available to the public, just as any hospital-based ED must do," says Lidholm. "Because of this, we anticipate applying for stroke and chest pain certification when our facility meets the benchmarks established by the accrediting agencies."
ER vs. Urgent Care
Knowing what to do in certain medical situations can be tricky. Is it an emergency, or something less serious that can be treated in an urgent care setting? Assess the situation and determine if the person's life would be in danger or if the person's health would be harmed by not going to the ER. If "yes," then you should call 9-1-1 and seek care immediately.
Examples of conditions considered an emergency because they require quick treatment or intervention include difficulty breathing, possible stroke or heart attack, unexplained seizures, sudden intense pain, broken bones, blurred or double vision, choking and profuse bleeding. The ED has the capability to provide advanced imaging that may be needed to address potentially serious health concerns, and specialists can be consulted quickly if needed. If you are suffering from more "run-of-the-mill" conditions like bumps and bruises, cold symptoms, strains and sprains, an urgent care or same-day care setting is an appropriate place to go.
If you need same-day care for less severe medical conditions, visit our walk-in clinic at Northern Nevada Medical Group, 5265 Vista Blvd. in Sparks. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and does not require an appointment.