Sierra Surgery & Imaging will be the name of a surgical hospital built with the Carson-Tahoe Regional Medical Center under construction in North Carson.
"Our goal has always been to bring advanced medical care close to home so people can avoid the long commute for most procedures," said Joan Lapham, Sierra Surgery & Imaging chief executive.
The surgery center should open in the first quarter 2005. Construction began in October 2003.
This new center brings together advanced care for outpatient surgeries, inpatient surgeries requiring extended recovery, comprehensive radiology and the Sierra Outpatient Women's Center.
Sierra Surgery & Imaging is the first surgical hospital in Nevada to meld the values of an ambulatory surgery center with inpatient rooms, physical therapy and support services for non-critical cases needing overnight recovery.
Sierra Surgery & Imaging is also one of the first surgical hospitals in the nation developed as a partnership between community doctors and a community hospital.
The partnership was created by doctors who own and manage Carson Ambulatory Surgery Center and Carson-Tahoe Hospital. The center will expand CASCI's outpatient care to non-critical inpatient cases that can be best managed in this controlled and more patient friendly environment. Sierra Surgery & Imaging will replace CASCI, which has served area residents for 18 years.
CASCI nursing and office staff will transfer to Sierra Surgery & Imaging, with plans to hire additional staff. For information call 883-8218.