FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Department is among the 50 busiest in the nation, according to a published report by Becker’s Hospital Review.
The healthcare industry publication listed Cape Fear Valley’s ED at 17th busiest, with 129,352 patient visits last year. However, nine of the higher-ranked facilities included more than one ED in their overall patient numbers.
Exclude multi-facility entries and Cape Fear Valley’s Emergency Department is the 10th busiest in the nation. Combine Cape Fear Valley’s ED numbers with ED visits at Bladen County Hospital and Hoke Hospital from last year and the total would be 179,771.
The combined total would make Cape Fear Valley’s ED numbers the 5th busiest in the nation. There are more than 5,000 emergency departments in the U.S. Florida Hospital Orlando in Orlando, Fla., led the nation with 249,400 ED patient visits.
Cape Fear Valley ED numbers have historically been high because the medical center is a safety net hospital, serving patients from across southeastern North Carolina. Its ED is also a state-designated, Level III Trauma Center, which treats critically injured patients when other nearby EDs cannot.
“High patient volumes mean our physicians and staff get plenty of hands-on experience,” said Mike Nagowski, Cape Fear Valley CEO, “and our Emergency Department has saved a lot of lives.”
Cape Fear Valley recently opened 17 new beds in its Adult Emergency Department to accommodate its ever-increasing ED patient volume. A new 28-bed observation unit is also slated to open later this year, which should reduce patient wait times for an inpatient bed.
“Having the additional bed space will impact our throughput and help patients be seen in a more timely manner,” said Susan Phelps, Emergency Department Service Line Director.
To see a complete list of the 50 busiest EDs, visit: http://www.
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