When Abrazo Surprise Hospital opened Oct. 12, 2020, the city of Surprise gained its first acute-care hospital.

Its Emergency department was immediately busy, and the first overnight patient was admitted within hours.

“Three years and thousands of patients later, Abrazo Surprise Hospital is firmly embedded in the community,” said Administrative Director Chrissy Salazar. “The fact that patients arrived so quickly on opening day showed that our hospital offers convenient access to care for Surprise residents.”

Located at 16815 W. Bell Road, Abrazo Surprise Hospital serves patients of all ages and includes a 13-bed emergency department, eight inpatient rooms, procedure rooms, a lab and pharmacy and on-site x-ray, CT and ultrasound.

Opened during the midst of the pandemic, Abrazo Surprise Hospital also provided additional inpatient capacity closer to home when rooms in other hospitals were in short supply.

“We’ve treated emergency patients, cardiac patients and more, and helped save lives,” said Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Jacob Russell. “Our hospital has the capability of extending care beyond the ER to admitting overnight patients to our inpatient unit."

As a licensed acute-care hospital, patients are able to access care in their community, closer to home, added Amber Nunn, site manager at Abrazo Surprise Hospital. The ER is open around the clock, every day. Abrazo Surprise Hospital also offers outpatient imaging services. Diagnostic x-ray, ultrasound, and CT scans are available by appointment.

“The hospital’s unique, smaller size lends itself to a family environment and patients appreciate the friendly atmosphere and shorter ER wait times,” said Nunn. “Patients often say that they’re glad we’re here.”

Hospital staff have worked to develop strong relationships with local first responders, and offer health screenings for the community, added Salazar.

“Our team does a fantastic job and has truly made an impact on this community by providing hospital care closer to home for Surprise-area residents,” said Julie Bowman, Chief Nursing Officer for Abrazo Surprise Hospital and Abrazo Arrowhead Campus.

Visit AbrazoHealth.com.