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• MultiCare moves step closer to new hospital in South King County

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  MultiCare Health System will break ground on the new Covington Clinic Emergency Department on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m.

  The new freestanding Emergency Department, scheduled for completion in early 2012, changes the health care experience of residents in Southeast King County. No longer will they have to drive more than 20 minutes to get the care they need when they need it.

  “Having an Emergency Department in Covington will greatly improve the care patients receive,” said Hugh Kodama, Administrator for the MultiCare Covington Clinic. “We can take care of many of their needs right in our community, and patients will be connected to MultiCare’s network of specialists in King and Pierce counties. We are committed to bringing new health care options to residents in this area.”

  The 24,000-square-foot Emergency Department will have 19 treatment rooms, including four dedicated to treating children.

  Other features include:

  • A child-friendly waiting area, separating families from adult patients.
  • No waiting. Patients will be taken to a room and triaged upon arrival.
  • Imaging services located in the department. That means patients won’t have to travel to other areas of the clinic for digital X-rays, CT and ultrasound.
  • A warm and soothing atmosphere with a Northwest theme and plenty of light.

  This is the first phase in MultiCare’s expansion plans at the Covington Clinic. MultiCare also has applied for permission to build a 58-bed hospital adjacent to the clinic. A decision from the Washington Department of Health is expected soon.

  The new hospital will expand the services available to the community and provide better access to care for residents in South King County. New services will include a Women’s and Children’s Center, Childbirth Services and expanded Surgical Services including the installation of robotic-assisted surgeries. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital physicians and services also will expand into the new clinic.

  MultiCare has been serving Covington for nearly two decades. The expanded medical center is the next step in giving the growing communities in South King County access to more comprehensive health care services.

  The Covington clinic currently includes Primary Care, Specialists, Urgent Care, Day Surgery, a Heart Center and other health care services.

  Posted on Nov 9, 2010 in