Valley Health says Desert Springs will not close

Michelle Swafford

Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003 | 11:10 a.m.

Valley Health System reiterated Tuesday that Desert Springs Hospital is not going to close or be converted into another type of hospital.

Edwin Kingsley, president of the Clark County Medical Society, was quoted in the Las Vegas Sun on Tuesday as saying he's heard that the hospital will likely close or convert to something other than an acute care hospital.

Valley Health System, a subsidiary of Universal Health Services in King of Prussia, Pa., operates four valley hospitals: Desert Springs, Valley, Summerlin and soon-to-open Spring Valley.

Naomi Linado, spokeswoman for Spring Valley, has said the hospital's opening would not affect the other Valley Health System hospitals because each has an area of focus.

She said the parent company still has money allocated for Desert Springs and Spring Valley's budget did not affect that pool.

Desert Springs has scaled back some services. In February, the hospital halted orthopedics services through the emergency room and in September closed its maternity unit.

But Valley Health System marketing director Michael Tymczyn on Tuesday denied the rumor that Desert Springs may close.

"The rumor Dr. Kingsley has so carelessly spread has no basis in truth. Desert Springs Hospital is not closing and there are no plans to convert services to anything besides those provided by an acute care hospital," Tymczyn said. "Dr. Kingsley is not an employee of Desert Springs Hospital and holds no governance or administrative position at Desert Springs Hospital."

Desert Springs built a $20 million patient tower in 2001 for 126 beds and the older part of the hospital's aesthetics is being upgraded, said Lori Harris, marketing director for Desert Springs.

Also, plans were recently approved to upgrade one of the hospital's three heart catheterization labs, she said.

"Desert Springs will remain an acute care hospital with emergency services," Tymczyn said today.