At the Wheat Ridge City Council meeting on June 9, an ordinance was passed that clears the way for freestanding emergency departments (ERs) to be established and operated within the city limits. One such facility is planned for the corner of 38th Street and Wadsworth Boulevard.
What Are Freestanding Emergency Departments?
Freestanding emergency departments, or freestanding ERs, are emergency care facilities that are not connected to a hospital. These facilities can provide immediate emergency care for life-threatening conditions, with the option of sending patients to a full-service hospital if necessary.
According to Dan Larson, Wheat Ridge’s District 4 Councilor, the new ordinance allows these facilities to be located in mixed-use zones, which is a significant step forward.
“This for the first time allows freestanding emergency departments to be built in mixed-use zones,” Larson said.
The Location and the Plans
The freestanding ER facility is planned to be part of a larger medical campus in a nearby plaza located on a 5-acre lot at the intersection of 38th Street and Wadsworth Boulevard.
The property will be developed by HCA Healthone, the company that operates Rose Medical Center in Denver. This is part of a broader effort to increase access to emergency care in the area.
Concerns from Residents and Health Professionals
While the ordinance passed, it faced some opposition from both residents and healthcare professionals who raised concerns about the limitations of freestanding ERs. One of the main issues was the lack of capacity to handle serious medical emergencies like heart attacks or strokes.
Douglas Martel, a former cardiologist at Intermountain Lutheran, voiced concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting, saying, “It cannot and does not provide a level of care to the level of a real hospital, and many of your elderly, especially at Wheat Ridge, will be affected.”
Martel argued that freestanding ERs might not be able to provide the same level of emergency care that a full-service hospital could, which could be dangerous in critical situations where every minute counts.
Other residents also expressed concerns about billing practices and insurance coverage. Freestanding ERs have garnered a reputation in the past for charging high prices that patients were unaware of until after receiving treatment.
Councilor Larson acknowledged these concerns but pointed out that the need for an emergency care center on the east side of town became more urgent after Intermountain Lutheran moved to the west side.
The Need for Freestanding ERs in Wheat Ridge
Larson explained that the decision to push for a freestanding ER was driven by the need for emergency services in the area, especially after Intermountain Lutheran’s relocation. He also mentioned that changes in the state’s regulatory standards have made it easier for cities like Wheat Ridge to establish such services without the risk of overloading the area with too many.
“The regulatory environment in the state of Colorado in terms of licensing, in terms of building practices has changed,” Larson said. “The city of Wheat Ridge has changed.”7
While the approval of freestanding emergency departments in Wheat Ridge has stirred debate, particularly regarding their capabilities and costs, the city is moving forward with plans to enhance access to emergency care.
The new facility is expected to address a growing need for emergency services on the east side of town, but concerns about care levels and patient costs remain at the forefront of the discussion.