Laughlin, Nevada
On Tuesday, October 10, 2017 the Laughlin Town Advisory Board voted unanimously to request the Clark County Board of Commissioners to have its Real Property Management Department build an Free Standing Emergency Department and Outpatient Clinic on county-owned property next to the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department's Laughlin Aquatic Center, in the residential area in which 95% of the township's residents live.
The proposal was presented by Bob Bilbray, Strategic Development Advisor to the Laughlin Economic Development Corporation, and Rob Samson of Selberg and Associates, Architects, assisted by T.R. Orr Construction Company, and a local Registered Nurse, Lisa Johnson, who has years of experience in the Emergency Department and Nursing Administration. District 12 State Senator Dr. Joe Hardy, also has been heavily involved in the effort.
The proposed site and site plans are shown below.
The following is a summary of the proposed services.
Laughlin 24 Hour Free Standing Emergency Department and Outpatient Center
A 24-hour freestanding emergency department (ED) in Laughlin, Nevada to serve the community’s growing healthcare needs. Demand for quality healthcare services in Laughlin continues to increase. We must to be able to continue to grow to serve our community. We need to provide easy access and high-quality health care to residents in Laughlin, Nevada.
Freestanding Emergency Departments (EDs) are a rapidly increasing source of emergency care in the United States. Physically separate from acute care hospitals, but available 24/7 for emergency care, freestanding EDs offer many of the same services as traditional EDs, such as on-site advanced diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing and quick delivery of care for patients.
The Laughlin ED will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Many emergent conditions can be effectively managed at freestanding emergency departments without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting. The ED would feature Emergency Physicians, Registered Nurses, ER Techs and other healthcare emergency professionals to treat many acute and chronic health problems, unpredictable injuries and sudden illnesses including, but not limited to:
· Heart Attack or Stroke
· Chest, abdominal or severe back pain
· Broken bones, sprains, cuts or contusions (bruises)
· Respiratory problems
· Skin infections
· Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
The Laughlin ED will feature seven treatment rooms with an additional four rapid medical exam rooms, advanced imaging services such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and X-ray, and an on-site laboratory. It will use an electronic medical record system that will allow patients to access their private health information online. The ED will be staffed with board-certified emergency medicine Physicians, all RN nursing staff, ER Techs, imaging and laboratory staff, and an in-house pharmacist.
Doctors, nurses and ER technicians work as a team in the ED to provide effective and efficient care for every patient, from those with minor ailments to those with more serious injuries and illnesses.
Breakdown of services:
Exam and Rapid Treatment Areas:
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has:
· 5 basic exam rooms (includes 2 Isolation rooms)
· 4 Rapid treatment rooms
· 2 Behavioral health rooms
Radiology Services:
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for ED. Will open weekdays during usual business hours for outpatient testing.
Radiology is the area of medicine that uses X-rays, magnetic waves and ultrasound to obtain detailed images of the inside of the body. Doctors can then use those images to detect and diagnose illnesses and injuries, as well as to help develop treatment plans. Below are descriptions of some of the imaging tests to be available in Laughlin.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan:
Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging test that creates detailed images of internal organs, bones and tissue. The images generated during a CT scan can be reformatted into three-dimensional images viewed on a computer monitor, printed out or transferred to other media. Each time the scanner rotates around a patient's body, it uses low radiation X-rays to create high-resolution slices (images). Because the scanner circles a patient's body about four times every second, patients lie inside of the CT machine for two to three minutes. In some cases, CT scans are used in conjunction with an iodine-based contrast material to help doctors see certain organs, blood vessels or tissue.
X-ray (Radiography):
X-ray (also called radiography) uses a very small dose of radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the most frequently used form of medical imaging and they are also the oldest. They are often used to help see bone fractures, injuries or infections; they are also used to locate foreign objects in soft tissue.
Ultrasound:
Ultrasound is a noninvasive, non-radiation examination that uses sound waves to detect disease and locate possible abnormalities in tissue and organs. Ultrasound systems are designed to provide doctors with precise images for efficient diagnosis of medical problems. The system enables the physician to perform high-resolution panoramic imaging or 3D scanning in real time.
Respiratory Therapy:
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for ED. Will open weekdays during usual business hours for outpatient testing.
· Mechanical ventilation - a tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea (airway), often used in emergency situations.
· Oxygen therapy - supplemental oxygen delivered due to illness.
· Pulse oximetry monitoring - an external sensor that measures oxygen levels in blood.
· Pulmonary function studies - non-invasive tests that measure lung volume, capacity and flow rate.
· Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation - ventilation that is delivered through an oxygen mask, rather than through an inserted tube.
Laboratory Services:
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for ED. Will open weekdays during usual business hours for outpatient testing.
Laboratory tests check a sample of your blood, urine, or body tissues. A lab technician analyzes the test samples to see if your results fall within the normal range. The tests use a range because what is normal differs from person to person. Many factors affect test results.
Laboratory tests are often part of a routine checkup to look for changes in your health. They also help doctors diagnose medical conditions, plan or evaluate treatments, and monitor diseases.
For more information contact Bob Bilbray at rpb@bilbrayindustries.com or call his executive assistant Tina Womack at 702-298-3360.