News

Actions

Kalispell Regional Medical Center expands ER amid rise in traumas

Posted at 3:41 PM, Sep 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-03 17:41:41-04

KALISPELL – A Kalispell hospital has opened a new section of their Emergency Department to better serve patients.

Growing from a dozen beds to more than 30, the new south unit at Kalispell Regional Medical Center will offer more room for emergency care teams to help patients and designated rooms for specialized care.

In 2016 the hospital saw 382 traumas, the majority of which occurred in July and August. The number increased by 75 cases last year to 455.

$14 million in philanthropic support went toward the expansion project.

From many individuals to businesses, President of Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation Tagen Vine says it took the entire community pitching in to accomplish opening the new section.

"Thanks to the generous donors to the ER we were able to provide six private trauma rooms and 30 patient spaces compared to what we had before which was 13 patient spaces," said Vine. "So we’re excited about the expansion and looking forward to the construction opening up these new spaces and moving forward with our new ED."

Construction on the patient entrance and ambulance drive-in bays should be complete by the end of summer.