Hospitals

My last post about Homeboy Ambulance reminded me that I still haven't talked about the major hospitals in Fairview.

There are more hospitals in the downtown area than I've got listed on the map, and there are quite a few in the outlying areas that may come up later.  For now, though, I'll talk about the Big Four:  FMH, SMH, UMC and RVH.

Fairview Memorial Hospital, map page A-3
FMH is in the heart of Metro Center.  During the day Metro Center is pretty well filled with high powered corporate firms, but at night you get a crazy mix of street dwellers and tourists.  Accordingly, in FMH's waiting room it's not uncommon to see bums and executives argue about triage priority.  It's a zoo on an average day, but on the weekends?  Fuhgeddaboudit.  Picture the ER in, well, ER.  While it hasn't been a trauma center since the 80s, they constantly act like they should handle any trauma west of the river.  Their cath lab is down a lot, and once Heartland Medical Center opens up I think all the cardiac patients in the area will go there.

Saint Mary's Hospital, map page E-3
Originally started by an order of nuns as a Women and Children's Hospital, Saint Mary's has grown considerably and treats just about everything except major trauma.  While it's a great pediatric facility, the really sick kids typically go to U-Med.  Despite its... um... historic looking exterior, the facility is well equipped and employs some of the best practitioners I've ever dealt with.

University Medical Center, map page D-3
At the cutting edge of technology and a damn good teaching hospital, U-Med (or UMC) is where I'd want to go if I end up in a bad way.  They do it all here.  They're a bitchin' trauma center and offer some of the best burn treatment in the country.  It's also Fairview's de facto Children's Hospital.

Riverview Hospital, map page C-1
Great for everything except cardiac and neuro issues.  There's been talk about them trying to get some specialized neuro services going, but so far it's just been talk.  They're well known for their oncology services, and most of our cancer patients end up going to Riverview.

Note: Heartland Medical Center is supposed to open in mid-2011.  It will primarily cater to cardiac patients, though it will offer basic emergency services.