Carson-Tahoe Hospital will expand to Dayton

Carson-Tahoe Hospital plans to start construction on an acute care hospital in Dayton by March 15, a hospital spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Cheri Glockner, a hospital spokeswoman, said the two-story Carson Tahoe Dayton Hospital will be attached to the Carson-Tahoe Professional Building, which is at 2450 Highway 50 East.

"For the last three years the hospital has recognized the need to expand services to Dayton," she said. "It was in the community's best interest to put in critical access beds."

A full-time doctor will staff the six-bed hospital, which includes a 24-hour emergency room, food service, a laboratory, imaging department and pharmacy. Initially, the hospital will only see adult patients whose hospital stays would be less than three days. Construction will begin after project is cleared by the state and is scheduled for completion by Dec. 31.

Glockner said the cost of the project and the number of staff have not yet been determined.

"One of the goals of our leadership is to make our services accessible to the communities we serve," she said.

Don Smit, the project manager, also worked on the Dayton professional office.

Lyon County Manager Donna Kristaponis said Tuesday that Dayton is a high-growth area and the residents need 24-hour emergency medical services. Some estimate the Dayton area has a population of more than 15,000.

"Having the facility that they propose here in Dayton is terrific," she said. "It recognizes that Carson-Tahoe (Hospital) is keeping ahead of the game. We needed to have it and they are stepping up to the plate."

The hospital has several other projects underway, including the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, which will also open in December, and a medical office building in north Carson City. The Carson Tahoe Cancer Center will open in the first quarter of 2006.

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Carson Tahoe Dayton Hospital

Available services include:

Six beds

Medical lab

Full staff with one doctor

Imaging department

24-hour ER

Pharmacy

Construction will begin by March 15

Completion expected by end of December