Posted: February 20, 2009
Although not a “groundbreaking” in the traditional sense, Martin Memorial Health Systems held a groundbreaking celebration nonetheless on Feb. 17 in St. Lucie West.
Martin Memorial has now begun construction on the emergency center within their existing facility at 1095 N.W. St. Lucie West Blvd. Scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2009, the emergency center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center will be staffed by an emergency medicine physician and nursing and ancillary personnel, who will have access to the building’s existing imaging center and laboratory. When complete, the 9,100-square-foot center will have 12 beds, with the potential to expand to 16 beds if needed. The center will not have in-patient beds, so those patients who must be admitted will be transported to a hospital.
Port St. Lucie Council members Michelle Berger and Christopher Cooper attended the ceremony that marked the beginning of construction on the center. Councilwoman Berger, whose district includes St. Lucie West, spoke about the importance to nearby residents of having emergency care so close. She related a story of the emotional pain experienced by her own family when her grandfather died after waiting too long for a response to his medical emergency 18 years ago.
After discussions between Martin Memorial and St. Lucie County Fire District officials, protocols were established regarding the determination of the severity of an injury or ailment, so fire-rescue personnel responding to a 911 call can quickly assess whether a patient needs to be taken to the emergency center or another medical facility.
For more information, contact:
Rita Hart
Public Information Officer
City of Port St. Lucie
(772) 873-6325