After more than eight months of operation, Lakeway Regional Medical Center has performed better than officials expected.

Since opening, the medical staff at the 274,500-square-foot facility has treated more than 5,500 people, with another 3,000 going through the emergency room as of Oct. 30, something LRMC CEO David Kreye attributes to a growing need for medical care in the area.

"I think there was a bigger need out here than anyone ever imagined," Kreye said. "When you think about all the new rooftops within 5, 8 or even 10 miles of the facility, there is a huge need. We've been pleasantly surprised by the community's support."

The hospital, located at 100 Medical Parkway in Lakeway, has exceeded expectations in the number of patients treated in both outpatient and emergency room visits, and data show it has received patient satisfaction past the 70th percentile, Kreye said.

"We are just grateful that we are here to serve the community when they need us," Kreye said.

The better-than-expected patient numbers have put the medical center in a position to think about expansion sooner than expected.

"This really puts us ahead of schedule," Kreye said. "Especially if you think about all the development that is planned along the [Hwy.] 71 corridor."

LRMC is not currently planning any major additions but is staying focused on providing the highest-quality care available, Kreye said. While the medical center has no immediate plans of building expansion, the facility could add up to 40 more beds in a short time.

LRMC was built with six floors, and the top floor is currently used for storage purposes, Kreye said. If the need arose, the facility could add the beds quickly to handle the demand.

The exceeded expectations of the medical center have also had a positive effect, as the facility has hired more than double the medical staff anticipated before opening, Kreye said.

The success of LRMC can also be seen in the surrounding campus. The office building across the street from the facility is completely leased out and could push the leasing of the second building of medical offices up, Kreye said.

Future additions to the medical center are discussed with a hospital advisory board, Kreye said. The board helps LRMC decide on future need, but Kreye thinks that an addition to LRMC is highly likely in the next decade.

"Just based on the growth projections for this area [an addition to LRMC] will be required, without a doubt," Kreye said.

LRMC leans heavily on Lake Travis residents, with 85 percent of patients living with 7 miles of the facility, Kreye said.

"We reach more to the west than the east," Kreye said. "If you live inside that 360 loop, you are pretty accustomed to heading downtown for your medical needs."

LRMC has been very pleased with the support it has received from the community, Kreye said. That support is what the facility tries to give back through flu shots and providing first aid at concerts.

"We try to be involved at least four or five times a month in supporting the community," Kreye said.

LRMC has exceeded expectations in most categories, and Kreye said the main reason is the strength of the medical staff and the talented group of general surgeons.

"Everything is driven by our great medical staff," Kreye said.

LRMC food service

In addition to receiving high marks from patient reviews, Lakeway Regional Medical Center scored in the 99th percentile for food service, LRMC CEO David Kreye said.

"Those guys [in the kitchen] do a fantastic job," Kreye said. "You normally don't hear good things about hospital food, but they make every plate fantastic."

The full-service cafeteria is open to the public and features healthy selections and an extensive menu, Kreye said.

The menu includes items from breakfast tacos, omelets, French toast, pancakes and waffles to pan-seared tilapia, stuffed pork loin and basil pesto chicken.

The focus on stellar customer experience sets LRMC on a completely new level and has landed its food service in the top 1 percent of hospitals nationally, Kreye said.