Porter’s New ER is Nearly Ready for its Debut

A ribbon cutting was held for Porter Health Care System’s new full-service 24/7 emergency room in Valparaiso. The new ER is set to open its doors to the public in two days on October 14 at 7am and is the third ER that Porter calls its own, along with locations at Portage Hospital and Porter Regional Hospital.

The expansion is located near critical ancillary services including: x-ray, low-dose CT scanner, an expanded lab department, and Porter’s wide-bore MRI. There is a separate entrance to the expansion, and a new family waiting and reception area was built into the facility as well. The ER will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and always offers its 30-Minutes-Or-Less ER Service Pledge.

"When we moved our hospital to Highway 6 a few years ago, it was always our intention to remain the main healthcare provider for the city of Valparaiso," Steve Lunn, CEO of Porter Regional Hospital said. "The new emergency department is one more step closer to that end. When we moved we heard loud and clear that people wanted closer emergency services and we are thrilled to be able to provide that."

The same staff found at Porter’s main campus as well as the Portage campus will be on rotation here so patients can feel comfortable with familiar faces. New jobs were also created to help fill the nearly 11,000 square foot expansion so along with the seasoned staff, new faces will abound.

Adults as well as young children will be able to utilize the new ER for general emergency cases on an outpatient basis. Patients who need observation for less than 24 hours may also use the facility. Patients who need a higher level of care will be stabilized and moved to Porter Health System’s main campus on Highway 6 in Valparaiso where they will get top level care.

"We're very excited and know that the community has been looking forward to the new ER opening," Deb Shepherd, Emergency Room Nursing Director said. "We're happy to be able to provide this for them. Minutes matter, and if you have a medical emergency and this is the closest place to you, come to us and we can help you."

The Valparaiso Medical Center holds a nationally certified Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, has accredited diagnostic imaging and lab services, the APEX Award-winning Chandana Outpatient Surgery Center, and multiple physician offices.

For more information, visit www.NewValpoER.com