HEALTH CARE BRIEFS
2022 HEALTH CARE EDITION
Cedar Park hospital reaches 15th anniversary
In the last 15 years, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center has grown in beds and sta size. The hospital also added other outpatient locations. MARKING A MILESTONE
BY ZACHARIA WASHINGTON
center. These are located in Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock and Austin. At the time of CPRMC’s opening, there were 39 credentialed physicians, and now there are 361 active medical sta¢ members, Balla said. With 750 current employees and an annual payroll of over $55 million, CPRMC is the largest employer in Cedar Park, she said. This winter, the hospital will expand again adding another catheterization lab to the heart and vascular center of the hospital. CEO Bo Beaudry said continuing the expansion and improvement of CPRMC is a high priority. “It has been very moving to see the growth of medical specialties in our region that have been stimulated and supported through the opening and development of our hospital,” he said.
After years of consistent growth since its establishment in 2007, Cedar Park Regional Medical Center will celebrate its 15th anniversary in December. CPRMC was founded to address the need for a hospital in the area that provided inpatient and outpatient health care services. “Greater access to health care was extremely important for the residents of Cedar Park, Lean- der and surrounding communities,” Director of Marketing Laura Balla said. Since CPRMC opened, it has grown from 75 to 126 beds. Additionally, multiple outpatient centers have been added, including 13 physician practices, two surgery centers, a wound care center, an urgent care clinic and a freestanding emergency
75 hospital beds 39 credentialed physicians 300 employees 2007
2022 126 hospital beds 361 active medical sta members 750 employees
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MEDICAL PKWY.
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SOURCE: CEDAR PARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Drug overdose is No. 1 cause of accidental death
Telehealth becomes a mainstay in treatment The use of telehealth increased by 3,000% nationwide from March 2019 to March 2021, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Ser- vices, and many providers continue to evolve the technology. Austin Regional Clinic CEO Dr. Anas Daghestani said ARC has invested in its electronic medical record system and telemedicine tools to increase access for patients. “I think telemedicine is here to stay, but I think telemedicine will not replace the need for being seen in per- son,” Daghestani said. “What we are spending a lot of energy on is trying to make sure that the right condition is seen appropriately.” BY CARSON GANONG & CLAIRE SHOOP
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS IN TRAVIS COUNTY Drug-related deaths were the No. 1 cause of accidental death in Travis County in 2021. Previously, falls were generally the leading cause.
BY DARCY SPRAGUE
“Drug overdoses are a crisis in our community, and fentanyl is exacer- bating the problem,” Brown said in the statement. “As a county, we are responsible for the health and safety of all its residents—especially the most vulnerable among us.” On May 10, Travis County commis- sioners approved a $50,000 contract to fund methadone, a substitute drug that acts as a treatment for drug addiction. Travis County commis- sioners declared drug overdoses a public health crisis May 24. “My question to policymakers is: When is enough, enough?” said Nova Skye, outreach coordinator for the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, at a May 3 town hall. “How many people need to die?”
A new Travis County Medical Examiner’s Oce report shows drug-related deaths were the leading cause of accidental deaths in the county last year. According to the report, 308 people died from an overdose in Travis County in 2021, up more than 50 deaths from 2020. Of those deaths, 118 were fentanyl-related, a 237% increase from 2020. Public Health Authority Desmar Walkes said fentan- yl-laced pills are a big contributor to the increase in drug overdoses. Travis County Judge Andy Brown said in a statement that Texas should legalize fentanyl test strips, make naloxone more available and fully fund recovery programs.
Drug toxicity: 308 Fall: 282 Motor vehicle fatality: 170 Other: 46 Drowning: 34 Blunt force injury: 21 Asphyxia: 16 Fire/thermal: 14
SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
Now accepting new patients NEW LOCATION IN CEDAR PARK & LAMPASAS
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183A
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NEW LOCATION IN PFLUGERVILLE
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Jean Mbachu, M.D.
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CEDAR PARK LEANDER EDITION • JUNE 2022
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