Banner Gateway opens 36 additional beds

GILBERT, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2009) –Banner Gateway Medical Center at US 60 and Higley Road in Gilbert has opened its remaining 36 beds ahead of schedule to meet the health care needs of the Southeast Valley.

The hospital originally opened in September 2007 with 140 of its 176
beds. This week, the remaining 36 beds were opened.

“The hospital was built to grow with community need,” explains CEO Pam Nenaber. “And due to the medical needs of our community we are opening these 36 beds sooner than we originally anticipated.”

In addition to the beds, the hospital plans to open its ninth operating suite in February.

In 2008, hospital staff cared for more patients than originally expected, including:

• 11,570 inpatient admissions
• 3,817 births
• 5,721 surgeries
  
• 42,265 Emergency room visits

The hospital has received several awards including the Employer of Choice Award from the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and the Award of Excellence in Healthcare Design from Modern Healthcare Magazine. |
The hospital now employs more than 1,000 people, and is served by 521physicians and 240 volunteers.

Banner Gateway was built with an “evidence-based design” model. It’s a design concept that creates a healing environment to enhance the patient experience and support staff in their work.

Some of the hospital’s features include patient rooms that are bigger and more private, a beautifully designed pediatric unit, and the unique women and infant services area where a private garden and Japanese Soaking Tub to aid in relaxation are available.

Banner Gateway Medical Center has 176 all-private rooms, nine operating suites and a 37-bed Emergency department. The 60-acre campus will also have the capacity to add two additional
patient towers and coordinating support services. Over 500 patient beds could eventually be available.

About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or manages 22 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care services, a nursing registry and home medical equipment services in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. To learn more about Banner Health, go to www.BannerHealth.com.


Contact:
Susan Gordon, (480) 543-2300
Krista Paske, (480) 543-2594