Good things are happening in Fenton and the surrounding communities that will help its citizens stay healthy and have easy access to state-of-the-art emergency services and additional testing such as 3D mammography, MRI and more. My City Magazine reached out to McLaren Fenton to find out the latest updates and any additional plans for the facility’s future.
Q: Tell us about the renovations that were completed at McLaren Fenton.
A: The building’s entire 24,000 square-foot interior was renovated. The ER is approximately 12,000 square feet and includes 17 exam rooms, three trauma bays, and observation and isolation rooms. To support the ER, space was designated for a full-service lab, as well as a suite for comprehensive imaging services. The primary care clinic is also approximately 12,000 square feet and can accommodate multiple providers each day with 24 exam rooms, a procedure room, a spacious waiting room and access to the lab and imaging services.
Q: When was the ER completed?
A: The ER was completed in February 2020 and opened that March. The Fenton area has been on McLaren’s radar for expansion for several years. In 2017, a new president and CEO (Chad Grant) was appointed at McLaren Flint and his experience with McLaren’s freestanding ER at McLaren Clarkston pushed the project to the forefront and its timeline was accelerated.
Q: Tell us about Telestroke.
A: Each ER across the McLaren system throughout Michigan has telemedicine technology in their emergency department, ensuring that patients have access to rapid decision-making for treatment during the critical period following the onset of stroke symptoms. As part of the McLaren Stroke Network, interventional neurologists utilize a telemedicine “robot” to provide consultative services within minutes of notification by onsite emergency and in-house physicians. TeleStroke allows the interventional neurologist to beam into the patient’s bedside from a remote location and assess the patient, review CT scan images and discuss best options for the patient with onsite physicians and the patient’s family.
This technology assures that clinical therapies such as clot removal and clot-busting drugs can be applied quickly and effectively, resulting in a better outcome for the patient. With the TeleStroke network, stroke patients benefit from speedier diagnoses, faster care and a better chance of recovery. We’re proud to offer this high level of neurologic intervention.
Q: What additional services are available at McLaren Fenton?
A: Providers available at the site include family and internal medicine, nurse practitioners, OB/GYN, midwifery, otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat) and of course, the ER physicians. Services include a full-service outpatient lab, MRI (new last month), 3D mammography, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and bone density scans.
Q: Tell us about your staff.
A: The ER is staffed by board-certified emergency physicians along with emergency room nurses and support personnel. Our primary care physicians include both MDs and DOs, and there are three nurse practitioners, several medical assistants and office support personnel. The lab and imaging suites also have specially trained personnel.
Q: Is there any other information you would like to supply that may be helpful for our readers?
A: This past spring, the imaging services at McLaren Flint earned American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation. The center offers online appointment scheduling for ER patients with non-life-threatening conditions and for screening mammograms. Imaging services also offer Saturday appointments. There are additional plans to add more specialists and services. McLaren Fenton would like to thank the residents of Fenton and surrounding communities for entrusting us with their health care over the years.
Photos courtesy of McLaren
