BELLEVUE, Wis. — Dr. Matthew Freeman explained the equipment in the trauma bay of the newly opened Green Bay ER & Hospital.
“This is the area where the sickest of the sick would come, someone who is suffering from a life-threatening condition, any type of stroke-like syndrome, cardiac arrest, God forbid, a penetrating trauma. Things of that nature will come into this room,” he said. “It’s the largest space we have to treat and have as many team members as possible present to collectively provide the care that’s necessary.”
The facility is among a growing number of “micro-hospitals” that are opening around the country. They aim to provide more affordable, fast and local care.
“The efficiencies we have now in this small facility will feel different,” said Freeman, who has also worked for large health care systems. “It’s a different atmosphere because we’re able to provide more individualized care to our patients versus having to cater to an overflowing waiting room. That’s done intentionally because we want to take more time.”
Green Bay ER & Hospital is open 24/7 for patients who need care, but don’t require surgery. There is no operating room, but there is an emergency department with six inpatient rooms and eight emergency room beds.
The facility also offers medical imaging, lab services and pediatric care. Patients requiring more intensive care will be transferred to a larger medical center.
Amy Maricque left her job as an ER nurse at a large hospital to work at Green Bay ER & Hospital.
“There’s just no rush,” she said. “I have a lot of time. I can do a lot of patient education. I can empathize and listen to my patients. There’s just no rush to get on to the next patient.”
Maricque said she’s excited to be part of something new.
“I like that when I talk to my patients, my patients say just how different this is and how they feel comfortable here. They feel like they’re being heard. They feel like their needs are being met,” she said. “I think that’s probably the most exciting part for me. I get to be part of something from the ground up.”
This new facility is owned and operated by a group of physicians. Its parent company, Nutex Health, Inc, has micro-hospitals nationwide. It plans to open a similar one in Milwaukee soon.
Nutex Health micro-hospitals accept private health insurance plans, but not Medicare.
Freeman said the overall goal is more personalized care.
“When you connect with someone, in my opinion, there’s a higher likelihood they’re going to leave this facility more confident about the steps going forward,” he said. “There’s a higher probability they’re going to follow up with their doctor or their specialist after and make meaningful changes in their lives that will lead to a healthier lifestyle that will improve their health.”