Hospital to close orthopedic surgery

Friday, Jan. 24, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

The valley's population boom in the western end of town, away from what once was the core of the Las Vegas Valley, may have played a big role in Desert Springs Hospital's decision to close its general orthopedic surgery department.

Mike Tymczyn, spokesman for the Valley Health System that operates Desert Springs, Summerlin and Valley hospitals, said the planned Feb. 1 closure also is another symptom of the medical malpractice insurance issue.

"Today doctors put hundreds of miles on their cars and are picking and choosing where they want to hold privileges," he said. "Many are choosing hospitals outside the core of the city, especially in the west."

He noted that the Valley Health System is building a hospital at Rainbow Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue and Sunrise is building a hospital at Interstate 215 and Sunset Road -- both in the southwest.

Lori Harris, spokeswoman for Desert Springs Hospital on East Flamingo Road, said the decision to discontinue orthopedic service stems from 19 of the hospital's 22 orthopedic surgeons opting not to hold privileges at the hospital.

Doctors who want the privilege of using surgery facilities at a particular hospital have to work emergency room shifts there.

She said patients taken by ambulance to the hospital with orthopedic injuries, such as broken bones, will be stabilized in the emergency room and then transported to another hospital.

Sunrise Hospital spokeswoman Cheryl Smith said today the hospital has nine to 10 orthopedic surgeons and will continue to offer that service.

Rick Plummer, spokesman for University Medical Center, said both the emergency room and trauma center at the county hospital are adequately staffed.