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Baptist Health describes new 22‑bed off‑campus emergency department in Miami Lakes
Summary
Baptist Health representatives described services and operations at the new off‑campus emergency department in Miami Lakes, including 22 beds, on‑site imaging and lab services, two units of O‑negative blood, and a transfer arrangement with Doctors Hospital.
Baptist Health representatives on Thursday described the new off‑campus emergency department in Miami Lakes and the services it offers to the local community.
Michael Seeley, regional director for emergency medicine for Baptist Health Outpatient Services, told the Miami Lakes Mental Health Task Force that the facility is staffed and equipped to handle major emergencies and stabilize patients for transfer. "This place has 22 beds, state of the art," Seeley said.
The presenters said the site, licensed under Doctors Hospital, opened March 6 and has diagnostic imaging (CT, ultrasound, x‑ray), an on‑site clinical laboratory, automated CPR capability and two units of O‑negative blood available for transfusion. Blake Natino, a registered nurse, said, "We've opened March 6, '2 months ago, and we've seen over 2,000 patients," and that roughly 150 patients were admitted directly to Doctors Hospital in that period. Presenters said the center has admitted patients of varying acuity, including deliveries they described as having saved newborn lives.
Baptist staff described the facility as an "off‑campus" emergency department under Florida licensing rules and said they operate a transfer center to move patients to other hospitals on request, including Memorial and Palmetto hospitals. The presenters also noted a planned site in Pembroke Pines that they said is under construction.
Presenters emphasized speed of evaluation, citing an average stay of under two hours from arrival to transfer or discharge at their busiest sites, on‑site pharmacy dispensing for commonly prescribed discharge medications, and a patient registration app attendees were encouraged to download. They also said the facility is not a Baker Act receiving facility; staff perform medical screening exams and, when clinically indicated, work with mental‑health placement providers such as Banyan to arrange transfers to crisis or treatment facilities.
Task force members asked about service area and coverage; presenters identified other Baptist and regional facilities that also serve parts of Miami‑Dade County and noted the operator will transport patients to facilities requested by patients when feasible. No formal action or vote occurred during the presentation.
The Baptist presenters who spoke are available for tours of the facility on weekdays and provided contact information during the meeting.
