Galichia Heart may add ER

Galichia Heart Hospital officials say they are considering whether to open an emergency room at the 82-bed specialty hospital at 2610 N. Woodlawn in northeast Wichita.

Galichia Heart Hospital officials say they are considering whether to open an emergency room at the 82-bed specialty hospital at 2610 N. Woodlawn in northeast Wichita.

Six weeks ago the hospital made application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to open an ER, says Galichia Heart CEO Tom Nester. CMS approval is needed in order for Galichia Heart to move forward with the ER plans and for that service to receive reimbursement from Medicare.

"We are seriously evaluating the possibility of doing it," Nester says.

The addition of an ER would allow the hospital to treat former patients with emergency conditions and who would otherwise be sent to one of the city's acute care hospitals, Nester says.

The announcement of plans for an ER follow an award for the hospital by HealthGrades.

The provider of health care ratings, information and advisory services named Galichia Heart as the Kansas recipient of its 2005 HealthGrades Cardiac Care Excellence Award for its overall cardiac care, cardiology services and coronary interventional procedures.

~ Jerry Siebenmark