Health News Magazine

To expand access to emergency care, Northwest Emergency on Georgia has opened at the intersection of I-27 and Georgia (4121 S. Georgia Street) in Amarillo. The new freestanding emergency department provides comprehensive 24/7 treatment backed by the full resources of Northwest Texas Healthcare System. Laboratory and imaging services are also offered. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and most BCBS® plans, are accepted.

Jason Madsen, Associate Administrator at Northwest, says one of the goals is to enhance access to services in the south and east sides of Amarillo since there were no emergency rooms on that side of town. “In an emergency, this will save a lot of time.”

Northwest Emergency on Georgia is staffed with the same personnel and equipment available in Northwest Texas Healthcare System's hospital-based emergency room. For conditions that warrant admission to a hospital, the staff can assist patients with a direct admission to Northwest or a transfer to a hospital of their choice.

Expansive lab services are available on an outpatient basis for individuals with a physician’s order. They include:

• CT scans
• Digital X-rays
• Complete blood counts (CBCs)
• Lipid profiles (to check cholesterol and triglycerides)
• Diabetic screenings
• Infectious disease screening (flu, hepatitis, etc.)
• Thyroid function testing

On the other side of town, patients can continue to receive 24/7 care at Northwest Emergency at Town Square. Both Northwest facilities are the only freestanding emergency departments operating under a hospital license in the area.