Damian O'Keefe, representing Newman Regional Health, presented an update on the new emergency department addition to the hospital that is starting to take shape and should open mid-December. It will be state of the art and very secure. The hospital's ED experienced an 8.4% increase in patients (14,752) in 2017 over the previous year. Why the increased use of ED? 
  • A growing elderly population and chronic illnesses.
  • Chronic illnesses are starting at a younger age.
The ED staff is now a specialty, and a higher quality of care is being delivered in the ED as a result. Through lots of communication, a coordinated effort is being provided to incoming trauma patients at all points of care here. The resulting quality of medical care outperforms the rest of the nation.
 
The Express Care unit currently located at the Flint Hills Mall will be located next door to the ED when the new space is open.