Friday, Dec. 31, 1999 | 9:05 a.m.
Growth is coming sooner than expected at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center.
The hospital at 657 Town Center Drive opened in October 1997 to serve the western valley.
Although extra space for additions was included in its plans, the expansions to accommodate the growing community came three years sooner than expected.
"We planned the hospital to grow with the community," K.D. Justyn, Summerlin Hospital chief executive officer, said. "Our volume has gotten to the point that this community needs (the expansions)."
The hospital specializes in care of women, children and senior citizens and provides 24-hour emergency service.
The opening of a new wing last week for its intensive care unit is the second addition of beds at the hospital. The unit now has 28 beds that serve critical-care patients in private rooms.
"We have patients coming from all over Las Vegas," Justyn said. "They really like the fact that every room is a private room."
In January the hospital plans to use 14 beds as an Intermediate Care Unit to treat less critical patients. The $1.5 million intensive care expansion includes a new critical care monitoring package for the 28 beds.
The hospital already has added four beds to service the Level II neonatal intensive care, which caters to premature babies or those needing extra care.
Within the next year a 20-bed addition is planned for the hospital's OB/GYN patients and would fill the extra space that was reserved for additions.
Any further additions will require the construction of a new tower, Justyn said. The hospital now operates with 166 beds.
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