Hospitals using standalone emergency rooms to get closer to patients

Health care providers are increasingly looking for ways to bring their services closer to customers and reduce the strain on their overcrowded emergency rooms. This shift has led many providers to repurpose former retail sites for medical facilities.

At a recent summit in Denver, industry experts discussed the growing trend of building ambulatory care facilities in retail locations. UCHealth, Centura Health, and HCA HealthOne are among the health care providers that have opened new emergency rooms in retail areas in recent years.

Despite concerns from state health officials about the proliferation of freestanding emergency rooms, many providers are moving forward with plans to expand their presence in retail settings. AdventHealth, for example, is building a new medical facility in a master-planned community near Denver International Airport.

These new facilities aim to provide convenient access to care for residents in growing communities. As the demand for emergency services continues to rise, providers are exploring innovative ways to meet the needs of patients while also reducing strain on traditional hospital emergency rooms.

In addition to emergency care, providers are also looking to offer specialized services in standalone facilities. Orthopedics, infusion centers, and sleep centers are among the areas expected to see significant growth in the coming years.

Overall, the shift towards building medical facilities in retail locations represents a strategic move to attract new customers and improve access to care in a competitive market. As the health care industry continues to evolve, providers are adapting their practices to better meet the needs of patients and communities.