Presbyterian Rio Rancho Medical Center - Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Presbyterian Rio Rancho Medical Center open?
Presbyterian will turn 103 years old on October 24, 2011, and our goal is to open our doors to provide services and begin caring for patients near that date.

What services will be offered at the new hospital?

• Inpatient Services
  • Mother-Baby Care
  • Critical Care
  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Orthopedic
  • Surgery and General Medical
• Outpatient Services
  • Emergency Care
  • Full Imaging Services
  • Surgical Services
  • CVL/Interventional Radiology lab

How does the Mil Levy Work?
First, we are very appreciative that Rio Rancho residents voted to support the Mil Levy, which will go to operations, not construction. The Mil Levy will provide support to all hospital services in Sandoval County and the County will appoint board members to each contracted hospital in Rio Rancho to oversee Mil Levy distribution. We know that there are a number of existing rural hospitals supported by Mill Levy funds. The Mil Levy makes up approximately 5% of the hospital's total operating budget, yet is able to really makes a difference in our ability to provide highly specialized services that would not possible without the Mil Levy, which include: Hospitalist Coverage; Medical Evaluation Teams; Specialty Consults in ICU; Neonatal ICU; Medication Safety Initiatives (automated order entry).

What are you going to do with the existing Presbyterian buildings in Rio Rancho?
The existing Presbyterian buildings in Rio Rancho that are located 4100 High Resort and 4005 High Resort will remain open after the new hospital is built to provide needed services for the community. We are still in the process of determining what services will be available at those facilities.
We do know that the Presbyterian Rio Rancho Emergency Department located at 4100 High Resort will move over to the new Presbyterian Rio Rancho Medical Center in 2011.

Do you anticipate any problems staffing the hospital?
As a system, Presbyterian is aware of the nursing shortages that exist at a national level, as well as shortages in other clinical positions. We are working hard to look for new and innovative ways to train and recruit skilled staff and look forward to working with UNM and CNM to provide more training opportunities. We expect recruiting and staffing to be one of our biggest challenges; but we are hard at work already and we are planning for success.

When and where will you offer information about what new jobs are available?
Our Human Resources Department is currently working on a plan regarding what new jobs will be available at the hospital, and more information will be available soon. We will be using this website to post information as soon as we have it.

Will there be access to the hospital campus through Black Arroyo Blvd?
Currently, there is one locked gate on the east end of Black Arroyo, which will be used as an on site emergency entrance during the construction of the new hospital. Once the hospital is complete, the locked gate will remain, but there will be no customer, staff or service traffic entering the facility from Black Arroyo.

Do you have anything to do with the construction on the west side of Unser?
That Property is not owned by Presbyterian, and we do not have anything to do the construction at that location. However, it is our understanding that commercial development will begin there soon.

Black Arroyo Blvd currently is a dead end. Will that change with a stoplight installed at Black Arroyo Blvd?
We are not aware of any plans for Black Arroyo to be extended. It is also our understanding that there will not be a stoplight installed at Black Arroyo. Please contact the City of Albuquerque for more details about the future of this street.

Will signal lights change in this area?
Our understanding is that there will be two new signals, which include Wellspring and Westside. We anticipate that Westside will open sometime this year, and Wellspring will open in conjunction to the new hospital opening, which is scheduled to be Fall 2011.

Will the hospital campus be noisy?
We believe that because the new hospital will be positioned at a lower level in relation to Black Arroyo and Unser this should mitigate the noise and sound effects that may come from the facility. In addition to the elevation we have increased the density of trees along that property line

We also specifically designed the hospital's main entrance, emergency department entrance and helicopter pad to all face Unser Blvd., which will help mitigate the noise of helicopters and ambulances for neighbors.

How do I stay informed on the project?

• We will continue to post updated information on this website. www.phs.org
• Become a "Fan" of the Presbyterian Rio Rancho Medical Center on Facebook.
• If you have any questions or emergencies regarding the construction site where the new hospital is currently being built, please call our General Contactor, McCarthy at (505) 220-4125, and ask to speak with Lee O'Connell.
• Please e-mail us at rioranchomedctr@phs.org with any your questions, concerns, or feedback.