I am writing anonymously as a concerned healthcare professional and community member to bring attention to a significant change that Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center is making, one that has not been adequately communicated to the public and will likely impact access to emergency care in the Carson Valley.
Carson Tahoe is converting its freestanding Emergent Care (ER) facility into an Urgent Care beginning in June. Once this change takes effect, there will be two urgent care centers located in the same parking lot, and no freestanding ER at that site.
This decision is particularly concerning for several reasons:
The freestanding ER has never been effectively marketed to the public. Many residents are unaware it exists or that it functions as an emergency department capable of higher-level care than urgent care.
Carson Tahoe reportedly based this decision on a community survey of approximately 17,000 respondents, even though the combined population of the surrounding quad counties is approximately 170,000.
Upper management has reportedly minimized concerns, believing that “people love Carson Tahoe” and will naturally choose their urgent care, despite already having another urgent care in the same location.
The practical result of this decision will be increased strain on the main Carson Tahoe hospital, which is already overburdened, and increased inconvenience and confusion for the public, particularly patients who believe they are seeking emergency care but are instead directed to an urgent care setting that may not meet their needs.
This change affects emergency access, patient flow, and community safety, yet it has received little to no public discussion or transparency. Many in the community would be alarmed to learn that an emergency care option is quietly being removed rather than improved.
I believe this is a matter of public interest and deserves scrutiny before the change takes effect. I hope your newsroom will look into this and help ensure the community is informed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Concerned Community Member/Healthcare Professional
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