Beebe to open South Coastal emergency department May 5

Beebe Healthcare’s new freestanding emergency department at the South Coastal Health Campus is set to open Tuesday, May 5, with less fanfare than normal for a new location’s grand opening.

A large social gathering with tours of the emergency department was originally planned, but was canceled in March. With current restrictions in place, Beebe will celebrate this momentous opening virtually, sharing the opening via videos and photos delivered through its social network and media partners. The community can watch Beebe’s Facebook page Tuesday morning, May 5, to see the video.

“The opening of this campus demonstrates Beebe Healthcare’s dedication to continue providing quality care for all of Sussex County. We have wanted to better serve our friends and neighbors in the southern portion of Sussex County for a long time and are incredibly proud to open this new facility here, especially while leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Tam, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO. “I want to thank all the team members who have worked for the past few years to bring this project to its grand opening. I also want to acknowledge the gracious donors who helped make this possible.”

Beebe Healthcare’s South Coastal Health Campus will deliver much-needed emergency services to the area, though not all services are identical to the acute-care hospital at the Margaret H. Rollins Lewes Campus. 

The South Coastal emergency department will have 23 exam rooms to handle the most frequent emergency needs. Six rooms are focused on expedited care for less-serious ailments to receive quicker treatment, so patients can get home or back on vacation faster.

“Treatment focuses on evaluation and stabilization of presenting symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and injuries, among many others,” said Dr. Nicholas Perchiniak, medical director of the South Coastal emergency department. “There isn’t need to worry. You can have full confidence if you need to seek services in the emergency department, because our care team is highly trained to identify at-risk patients. We are here for you.”

Those facing an emergency, such as a car accident or heart attack, should still call 911. The emergency medical teams will know the right location to take patients and can stabilize them during transit. Individual patients’ needs will vary, so the emergency department used will depend upon those specific needs.

Beebe’s board-certified emergency physicians and care team can also stabilize a patient with serious injuries in one of their two resuscitation rooms while an emergent transport is called for transfer to the Lewes campus, if necessary.

The South Coastal emergency department will have a 24/7 imaging department, readily able to provide access to X-ray, CT scan, and ultrasound services for emergency patients. Imaging studies are read by board-certified radiologists just as they are at the Lewes campus.

“This is a momentous achievement for Beebe Healthcare, and on behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank the leadership and every team member who made this possible. Beebe has long had a presence in the South Coastal area, and it’s wonderful to now be able to provide emergency services here,” said Dave Herbert, Beebe Healthcare board of directors chairman.

Beebe’s Walk-In Care Center in Millville will remain open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. year-round to provide services for minor ailments and quick care.

In coming months, Beebe’s second cancer center will also open at the South Coastal Health Campus.

Beebe’s South Coastal emergency department is prepared to handle COVID-19 patients in need of emergency services. Methods are in place to protect the safety of both patients and caregivers. Those not needing emergency care should go to one of Beebe’s other locations.

Beebe is providing care for COVID-19 positive patients and those suspected to have COVID-19 at its COVID-Positive Care Center in Georgetown, which is dedicated to treatment and monitoring of COVID-19 patients throughout Sussex County. A referral from a healthcare provider and an appointment are required for that service.

Beebe also operates mobile COVID-19 testing sites throughout the county. A referral from a healthcare provider and an appointment are required. Patients without a primary care provider can call Beebe’s COVID Screening Line at 302-645-3200.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic and for all of our residents and visitors in all of the various seasons we experience in Sussex County, the South Coastal Health Campus is going to be very important when it comes to taking care of our patients and community,” said Rick Schaffner, Beebe Healthcare executive vice president and chief operating officer.