Which hospitals are in Durango?
Two. CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital is the big one. Animas Surgical Hospital focuses on surgery, but it runs a 24-hour emergency room too. If someone's life is in danger, call 911 first. This page covers where things are, not what to do medically. The numbers below come from each hospital's own site (Mercy, Animas Surgical).
| Hospital | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital | 1010 Three Springs Blvd | 970-247-4311 |
| Animas Surgical Hospital | 575 Rivergate Lane | 970-247-3537 |
What kind of hospital is Mercy?
A full-service one. CommonSpirit says Mercy is a not-for-profit hospital with 82 beds. It is a Level III trauma center, and it calls itself the largest medical facility in southwest Colorado. It also lists 467 medical staff and 961 caregivers. Those are Mercy's own figures, and the page doesn't date them.
The emergency department never closes. CommonSpirit says it treats everything "from sprains and strains to complex trauma cases." It also lists Flight For Life Colorado, a helicopter air ambulance, among its services (CommonSpirit).
What else does Mercy offer?
Plenty beyond the ER. The hospital's site names orthopedic and spine surgery, cardiology, cancer care and emergency and trauma care as areas of strength. Its menu also lists neurosciences, primary care and women's health. A medical office building is attached to the hospital, though Mercy says it doesn't own it.
Need a doctor, a dentist or a counselor? Our Durango healthcare guide lists clinics, imaging, a pharmacy and mental health options near Mercy.
Why is the hospital out on Three Springs?
Downtown ran out of room. Mercy's story starts in 1882, when the Sisters of Mercy opened a six-bed hospital by the Animas River. The old building stood at 375 East Park Avenue. By the late 1990s it was full, and it couldn't grow, because downtown had grown up around it.
The new hospital opened in June 2006 in the Grandview area. It has 212,000 square feet. The city got the old land as a donation, and the Durango Public Library sits on that spot now (CommonSpirit).
Does Durango have a second emergency room?
Yes. Animas Surgical Hospital says it has the closest ER to downtown Durango. That's about five minutes away, just off Highway 550/160, and the ER is staffed around the clock. The hospital also runs Animas Urgent Care at 450 S. Camino del Rio. Our answer on urgent care in Durango covers hours and walk-in options.
Which one is right for you? Ask a 911 dispatcher or a doctor. A directory can't say.
How do you reach the hospital without a car?
No car? Take the bus. Route 5 (Mercy / Three Springs) runs every 30 minutes. The first trip leaves Mercy at 7:08 a.m., and the last bus back toward town goes at 8:38 p.m. It links up with Route 3 at Walmart. When the buses stop, DuranGO! covers evening rides inside city limits. Hours and fares are in our answer on public transportation in Durango.
Where do you pay a bill or ask for records?
Mercy's site has a patient tools menu. It lists a patient portal, bill pay, medical records, and price estimates. It also has a page on financial assistance and discounted care. If a bill worries you, start there or call the hospital at 970-247-4311.
What if you're visiting from a lower elevation?
Durango sits at about 6,500 feet (Downtown Durango gives 6,512). The CDC has guidance on altitude, and we've summed it up in our answer about altitude sickness in Durango. It covers logistics and quotes the CDC. It isn't medical advice.