SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – For several months, Regional West has been making preparations for an anticipated  surge in western Nebraska visitors and the potential increased need for medical assistance during the eclipse on August 21.

“We ordered additional medical supplies, including extra antivenin for rattlesnake bites and antibiotics, and we’ll even have an extra helicopter in town in addition to Air Link, because there will be greater potential for emergencies and trauma that may require an air ambulance,” said Troy Dean, MD, Regional West Emergency Department Medical Director.

“As always, we’re prepared to provide care to non-English-speaking patients. We have bilingual staff who are trained in medical interpretation and we have both video and telephone access to medical interpreters in about 250 languages, including American sign-language,” said Dr. Dean.

Both Regional West Medical Center and Urgent Care will be open during the eclipse and will be fully staffed throughout the weekend. With the exception of Urgent Care, Regional West Physicians Clinic offices will not schedule patients from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 21, but will be open before and after the eclipse.

The Regional West Emergency Department is open 24/7 every day of the week. Urgent Care will be open Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m., and Monday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We anticipate traffic and parking congestion near Regional West, since the Landers Soccer complex is one of the official Scottsbluff viewing sites,” said Joe Scott, Safety and Emergency Preparedness Manager. “In order to ensure that our patients, visitors, staff, and vendors have adequate parking, and to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles, we will have manned checkpoints at parking lot entrances and a few blocked entrances from 6 a.m. until noon at the main campus and at The Village at Regional West.”

To prevent congestion on sidewalks and safety hazards in parking lots, two campus locations have been designated for staff and visitors to watch the eclipse. At the main hospital, the viewing area will be between the Scottsbluff Surgery Center and the west side of the hospital. At St. Mary Plaza, the viewing area will be the front lawn at 36th and Avenue D.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.