DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (WJHG\/WECP) -HCA Florida Health Care is working to close the healthcare gap in northern Walton County with a new emergency room facility, located just north of the intersection of Interstate 10 and U.S. 331.<\/p>\n
The HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency Room is an extension of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people in North Walton County have to travel very good distances to get emergency care, so it\u2019s important that we go to the community,\u201d said Morgan Talley, the chief nursing officer at HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. \u201cFor the last three years, we went and talked with the city officials and county officials on how we can get this up and running.<\/p>\n
The new emergency room is expected to open its doors in February and will provide 24\/7 full-service emergency care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an emergent situation, you do want to have access to the latest and greatest technology,\u201d said Todd Jackson, the chief executive officer of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital. \u201cThat does include things like X-rays, it also includes a CAT scan, which we have as well, we have ultrasound capabilities, and then all of the laboratory testing that might be needed with a particular injury or illness.\u201d<\/p>\n
For patients requiring additional care, HCA Florida Health Care also has its own medical transport service.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did not want to bog down our Walton County fire and rescue team, so they will not be having to transport patients from this facility to an inpatient receiving facility,\u201d said Talley. \u201cWe\u2019ll be able to do that just because it\u2019s important for them to stay in the community, and that we\u2019ll be able to take our own to inpatient care.\u201d <\/p>\n
Leaders with HCA Florida Health Care said they have plans to eventually expand the facility with hopes of building a helipad.<\/p>\n
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