Halifax Health gives Deltona update as hospital adds specialties and readies UF telestroke coverage

Halifax Health and University of Florida-affiliated physicians told the Deltona City Commission on May 8 that the Medical Center of Deltona has treated thousands of patients since opening and is adding specialists and services, including telestroke coverage coordinated with UF starting July 1.

The update, given by Rafael Ramirez and Matt Peckos of Halifax Health and supported by administrators Ben Evie and Tanya (director of operations), outlined clinical volumes and recruitment plans the hospital says will reduce patient transfers and increase local capacity.

The hospital’s leaders said the facility has recorded "4,500 admissions to the hospital, almost a 109 just under a 100,000, 98,000 emergency room visits and over 32 surgeries so far." They said spring volumes have been “exceptionally busy.”

Why it matters: more local specialty care can keep Deltona residents closer to home for nonemergency treatment and reduce costly transfers, but commissioners emphasized that county ambulance destinations and dispatch decisions affect the hospital’s ability to build programs such as a higher-level cardiac service.

Most important program updates - Vascular surgery: UF has grown the program to three surgeons; Dr. Michael Yacoub now maintains a primary office on the Deltona campus and the hospital has opened a vascular lab for noninvasive testing. Officials…