DAYTONA BEACH - On Sunday, April 23, Halifax Health will celebrate the opening of Halifax Health Emergency Department of Deltona - Volusia and Flagler counties' first freestanding emergency department at Halifax Health Emergency Department of Deltona, 3300 Halifax Crossing Boulevard.

"We are excited to have this day finally arrive and to be able to provide West Volusia residents with quality, comprehensive emergency care close to home," says Halifax Health President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Feasel.

Halifax Health Emergency Department of Deltona will begin accepting patients on April 25. The emergency care facility will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering immediate care for illness and some major injuries, such as high fever, broken bones, sprains, heart attacks and strokes. The highly skilled physicians and nurses staffing the facility can treat most emergencies on site, however, transport of critical patients by air is possible via the facility's helicopter pad which has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The 24,972-square-foot medical facility features a full-service imaging center, 16 beds and 12 examination rooms, including: a bariatric examination room; an area for trauma patients; an isolation room for patients with a potentially infectious disease; and a decontamination room for patients exposed to hazardous material or chemicals.

Additional rooms include: a private triage room for initial evaluations; an emergency medical services room that provides storage and a computer area for EMS staff; a physicians' lounge; and a results waiting area with recliner chairs for patient comfort.

The emergency department will utilize an automated medication dispensing system as well as a "bed med" verification system that scans patient arm bands and medication to verify and ensure that the patient and medication are accurately matched. For further consistency and safety in patient care, the facility's staff will have access to Halifax Health medical records. Follow-up care resources will also be provided.

With the opening of this medical facility, Deltona residents no longer have to travel for access to emergency care. A year-long study completed in 2014 showed 40,500 emergency department visits by Deltona residents. The travel time for residents to access inpatient services ranged between 13 to 44 minutes for distances between six and 36 miles. The travel time for residents to travel to the closest emergency department was between 13 and 37 minutes for distances between six and 33 miles.