POST FALLS, Idaho — A new ER hospital specializing in emergency treatment in Post Falls celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday after just six weeks of being operational.
The new hospital features 50 people on staff including 14 doctors, registered nurses and other staff.
Business Development Manager Amy Bartoo said the facility's been planned for the past two years, and is owned by 14 physicians on staff, something she says is a plus. "I believe being physician-owned allows us to be mobile, to pivot to address situations that need to be addressed," Bartoo said.
The biggest is being able to offer another resource so facilities like Kootenai Health and Valley Hospital don't become overcrowded. "All of our healthcare facilities in this area were extremely overwhelmed," said Meghan Conlon who works the front desk at the hospital. "They even still are, even with our facility being built."
Bartoo says the facility has already seen 390 patients since it opened six weeks ago.
Starting November 1, the hospital will have outpatient imaging services such as CAT scans and ultrasounds.
"We're able to serve this part of the state that's growing so rapidly, and there are so many families that live in the area, and that we can be very responsive for those families and people traveling on I-90," Bartoo said.
It's more care for those who need it immediately, and more experience for Conlon looking ahead to advance her career.
"We're the first people that we should see when they walk in the door, get them all checked in, and then we keep up with them for the continuation of their care," Conlon said.
"We just want to help people," Bartoo said.
The hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.