Expanding surgery capabilities From the cover
BY DUSTIN BUTLER
Why it matters
What you need to know
Trauma level Level IV
What’s next
1 Texas Health Presbyterian Plano - Level II 2 Baylor Scott & White Regional Medical Center - None 3 Methodist Richardson Medical Center - Level III 4 Medical City Plano - Level I
Luba Ketsler, associate professor of instruction focused on healthcare economics at the University of Texas at Dallas, said more operating rooms and continual advances in technology improve hospital efficiency, meaning it can care for more patients more quickly. Ketsler added that additional rooms reduce bottlenecks in the healthcare system and improve access and quality of care. “The idea is that the more [hospitals] advance the technologies, the quicker [patients] are able to come in and get out,” Ketsler said. The expansion is an indication of the city’s strong economy, City Manager Don Magner said. Because of the hospital’s range of services, the city can leverage Methodist Richardson Medical Center to attract new businesses. “Businesses want to relocate in a contemporary community where they can tell their employees that they will have these services available to them and they will be easily accessible,” Magner said.
• Provide initial evaluation, stabilization, intensive care Level III • Offer resources for emergency surgery, intensive care Level II • Offer specialists on call 24/7 • Can transfer to Level 1 facilities Level I • Highest level of care • Full range of specialists, equipment in-house 24/7
Methodist Richardson Medical Center is launching a $22 million expansion aiming to boost surgical capacity and pave the way for a higher trauma designation. The expansion marks a step in the hospital’s growing role as a medical hub for North Texas, hospital President Ken Hutchenrider said. The expansion will add two full-size operating rooms with space for two future operating rooms, bringing the total number to 13. Work is underway on the first two operating rooms, Hutchenrider said, with an expected completion in early 2026. This is in addition to the three cardiac catheterization laboratories, or cath labs, where heart and vascular treatments are performed, Director of Community and Public Relations Jan Arrant said. In addition to the expanded operating rooms, the hospital is developing a joint ambulatory surgery center with several physicians and Tennessee-
new operating rooms are complete, it will perform about 1,000 more. Hutchenrider said the hospital is consistently at capacity, with surgery “always full.” Construction on the new operating rooms has begun, Hutchenrider said, and a second tower is planned for the future.
Methodist Richardson serves around 1.1 million residents across Dallas, Collin and parts of Rockwall counties, Ketsler said, adding that the area is experiencing 2% to 3% population growth annually. On average, the hospital performs about 7,500 surgeries annually, Arrant said, and once the
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The operating room expansion is expected to finish and be operational.
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The hospital aims to move from a Level III to a Level II trauma center designation.
The hospital anticipates having the next two operating rooms up and operational.
The hospital plans to begin the process of adding another building tower.
SOURCES: BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE HEALTH,TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
The hospital anticipates finishing construction on the new tower.
up space in the main operating room for more advanced surgeries. Once complete, Hutchenrider said there are plans to begin the process to upgrade the hospital’s trauma designation from Level III to Level II, the second highest.
based Surgical Partners, a company that partners with hospitals to operate ancillary surgical facilities. The center will offer minor surgeries such as laparoscopy and other surgeries where patients can typically go home the same day, freeing
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SOURCE: METHODIST RICHARDSON MEDICAL CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT
DALLAS 9500 N Central Expy (214) 369-2800 ADDISON 15055 Inwood Rd (972) 239-5891
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