On July 11, 2005 at 7 am WakeMed Health & Hospitals opened the doors to the state's first freestanding emergency department at WakeMed North Healthplex. Initially expecting to treat 14 patients per day, the department quickly surpassed that number and now treats an average of 100 patients per day with acuity levels and chief complaints that mirror emergency departments throughout the WakeMed system.

During fiscal year 2006, WakeMed North Healthplex Emergency Department had 4,655 patient visits. By fiscal year 2008, that number increased to 32,177 patient visits. The department treats complaints ranging from minor insect bites to traumatic head injuries with the top three primary diagnoses being musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and wounds. As a snapshot of volumes, from April 1 to June 30, 2009, the department treated 1,522 traumatic musculoskeletal issues, 1,110 non-traumatic gastrointestinal complaints, 807 wounds, 723 non-traumatic musculoskeletal issues, 644 cardiac/vascular illnesses and 652 patients with respiratory distress. The department has even welcomed two babies into the world since its opening.

Originally opening with seven patient care rooms, the department now features 14 patient care rooms, two triage areas and a resuscitation room. Recently, high patient volume also prompted the opening of a new five bed minor emergency care area that is open during peak hours. Soon, the minor emergency care area's hours will be extended even more to accommodate higher volumes during cold and flu season.

The WakeMed North Healthplex emergency department is staffed by the same board-certified physicians that serve emergency department patients at WakeMed Cary Hospital and WakeMed Raleigh Campus. A WakeMed Mobile Care Services vehicle is stationed permanently at WakeMed North Healthplex for patient transport to area hospitals. The emergency department is also complimented by a full service imaging department with CT and MRI, laboratory services, outpatient surgery and outpatient rehabilitation.

About WakeMed Health & Hospitals

WakeMed Health & Hospitals, one of the first hospital systems in the country, is a private, not-for-profit health care organization based in Raleigh, N.C. The 870-bed system comprises a network of health care facilities throughout Wake and Johnston Counties, including: a Level I Trauma Center and tertiary referral hospital and rehabilitation hospital in Raleigh, a community hospital in Cary, comprehensive outpatient centers and freestanding emergency departments in North Raleigh and Apex, seven outpatient rehabilitation sites, two skilled-nursing and outpatient facilities, a 100+-physician multispecialty practice, and home health services. The system includes accredited Chest Pain Centers and Joint Commission-certified Stroke Center. Throughout the system, there are an additional 60 beds under construction and 41 newly approved by the state. WakeMed also provides management services for Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC. Centers of excellence include cardiac and vascular care, women's and children's services, physical rehab, emergency and trauma, orthopaedics, neurosciences, home care and numerous wellness and community outreach programs. WakeMed's team of 7,000 nurses, technologists and medical support staff and more than 1,000 affiliated physicians serve the residents of North Carolina using the most advanced technologies and facilities to ensure the finest in health care. For more information, visit http://www.wakemed.org.

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