Nacogdoches, TX (November 5, 2013) – Nacogdoches Medical Center continues its efforts to bring emergency medical care to residents of Shelby County and East Texas with the construction of a satellite emergency department and diagnostic imaging center.  The hospital announced its plans in July to build the $7M facility, which will function as an off campus department of NMC.  The system recently purchased property at Highway 96 and Loop 500 to construct the facility.

The building will be approximately 10,000 square feet, with 70 available parking spaces, a covered ambulance bay, backup electric generation, and a helipad. The emergency room will have 7 examination rooms, 2 triage areas, a separate trauma room, lab, pharmacy, and waiting area.  The diagnostic imaging suite will have digital X-ray, 64 slice CT, ultrasound, and a separate waiting area.

“Since we opened our doors over 30 years ago, an increasing number of Shelby County residents have trusted NMC with their medical needs,” said Gary Stokes, CEO of Nacogdoches Medical Center.  “We are proud to now provide quality care for them, even closer to home.”

“We recognized a significant need in the community, months before Shelby Regional Medical Center closed,” said Scott Sundell, Director of Business Development.  “This facility will provide a more accessible location for Shelby residents, which will ensure that the most critically ill patients have access to emergency services when they are needed most.”

The satellite emergency department will provide emergency services for adults and children 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It will be staffed by experienced, board-certified physicians with direct access to surgeons and specialty physicians.  The facility will also have a fully staffed laboratory and imaging services.  Protocols will be in place for immediate transfer of patients requiring a higher level of care, or other specialized services.

“As emergency rooms across the nation have seen an increase in traffic in the last several years, many states have implemented freestanding EDs such as this one,” adds Sundell.  “This project has received tremendous support from the community, and we’re anxious to get the construction underway.”

Construction drawings are nearing completion and will go out for bid in November. NMC hopes to have a contractor chosen in December.  A ground-breaking ceremony will take place soon thereafter. The construction timeline is expected to be 8 months, with doors opening in September of 2014.