New hospital gearing up for Oct. 1 opening

Michelle Swafford

Monday, Sept. 22, 2003 | 10:50 a.m.

Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center is opening in 10 days in the southwest Las Vegas Valley and the public is participating in events before the opening.

Several hundred people toured the hospital and met with hospital staff Saturday during public tours -- one of two pre-opening events. Exhibitors were on hand to do free screenings and educate the public on various health topics.

The hospital, at 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd., will offer 176 licensed private rooms, a 47-bay emergency room and most acute care services. It's owned by Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services, which does business in Las Vegas as the Valley Health System.

An invitation-only gala will be held Sept. 30 at the hospital. Attendees can tour the hospital, enjoy hors d'oeuvres and bid on silent auction items. Proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The $70 million hospital is one of three planned for the southwest valley. In the event the hospital is expanded, it could accommodate 400 beds.

About 250 employees are expected to be on the job when the hospital opens next week.

A 100,000-square-foot medical center is scheduled to open next to the hospital in November.