Mercy Cedar Rapids opens Iowa’s first ER outside a hospital setting

Mercy Cedar Rapids is pleased to announce it has expanded its emergency services by converting its Hiawatha MercyCare Urgent Care location into an extension of the existing Mercy Emergency Department. Located at the Mercy Hiawatha Medical Park building at 1195 Boyson Rd., and opening on Mon., Aug. 24, it is the first ER in Iowa available outside of a traditional hospital setting.

Mercy officials say the new ER location helps alleviate space limitations due to growth at its main hospital ER. The new Hiawatha location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It offers on-site radiology, lab and pharmacy services.

“Mercy sees more ER patients than any other provider of emergency services in Linn County and we’ve seen continued growth,” said Dr. Matthew Aucutt, medical director, Mercy Emergency Services. “Creating this new location will allow easier access and greater convenience for our patients and provide additional life-saving care to meet growing demand in northern Linn County.”

Existing staff will transfer to this new location to support this extended service and Mercy plans to add additional staffing to provide the highest level of care.

The Imaging Center, which included outpatient ultrasound, CT and diagnostic X-ray, previously located at the Mercy Health Plaza has relocated to the Mercy Hiawatha Medical Park. Urgent Care services, including lab and radiology, are still available at four convenient locations in the Corridor, including the popular MercyCare North Urgent Care location at 5264 Council St. NE.