Tenet Opens New Hospital in El Paso

Sierra Providence East Medical Center Opens with 110 Beds

DALLAS . – Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) today announced the opening of its Sierra Providence East Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Construction on the 110-bed acute care facility began in spring 2006.



“This new, state-of-the-art hospital represents a significant investment by the company in the health and well-being of the community,” said Trevor Fetter, Tenet’s chief executive officer. “The hospital will provide access to health care services for this fast-growing area of El Paso.”



Sierra Providence East Medical Center is located at 3280 Joe Battle Boulevard on the eastern side of El Paso. The hospital represents a total initial investment of $143.9 million, including construction and other costs. The new hospital campus will offer a wide variety of health care services including:



· The Birthing Center, which features a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a six-bed continued care nursery, a 10-bed labor and delivery unit, two rooms for Caesarean sections, a 26-bed post-partum/gynecology unit and a parents’ sleep room.

· A 20-bed emergency department equipped for cardiac and invasive monitoring that includes an eight-bed Fast Track that provides expedited care for patients with minor illnesses and injuries.

· General medical/surgical services including a 12-bed intensive care unit, a 30-bed medical/surgical unit, a 30-bed cardiac telemetry unit, eight operating rooms and a pre-operative testing center.

· Advanced diagnostic imaging services including 64-slice computed tomography (CT), 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear cardiology, nuclear medicine, digital fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, ultrasound, mammography, general radiology and X-ray.



The hospital initially will employ approximately 300 people and expects to increase that number to 500.