Hospital directors receive tour, update on Phase 2

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Community Hospital Board members were "very impressed" with the progress of the Phase 2 addition and remodel as they toured the surgery wing following the Board of Directors meeting on April 18, according to Jim Ulrich, Community Hospital President and CEO. He said the building is 97 percent complete, with the punch list to complete. The hospital currently has a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, but will obtain a permanent Certificate of Occupancy, possibly as early as today.

The surgery department will relocate to the new surgery wing the weekend of May 18. Community Hospital's surgical services staff has been collaborating with a perioperative consultant and interdisciplinary team to plan and implement a seamless transition to the new operating room suites, according to Marta Hudson, Vice President of Patient Care Services. The move will include both clinical and non-clinical mock drills leading up to the move to help acclimate staff to their new working environment and equipment. Light surgery cases will be scheduled on Monday, May 21.

The pharmacy department is already in the new wing. Some offices will be completed and ready to occupy in early May. The temporary hospital connector hallway spanning from the emergency entrance to the patient wing will be torn down in May. Many of the materials used to build the corridor will be repurposed.

Phase 2B -- Remodel Former Surgery Space

Board of Directors were also given a status update on the Phase 2B project, which involves remodeling the square footage which will be relinquished by the surgery department, and includes updates in the emergency room, laboratory, radiology, respiratory and the addition of a sleep laboratory and chemotherapy suite.

Bids came back over budget. The hospital believes the gap can be narrowed to be reasonably close to the limits initially set by the board. A starting date has not yet been set, but Ulrich said the project may be starting in June, which is later than they had initially hoped.

Community Hospital Health Foundation Report

The 24th annual John Mullen Pro-Am is set for June 1, 2 and 3, according to Foundation Director, Terri Shipshock's report to the board. Since mid-April, the tournament is almost full with sponsored teams, she said, with a limit of 28 teams. Already 19 pros have signed up. Jim Ulrich said the tournament is easy to fill because it has a good reputation. "This is great event for Heritage Hills, our community and for the foundation," he said. Last year's net proceeds to the Community Hospital Health Foundation were $21,563.

Shipshock said the Campaign for Health, Hope and Healing has raised $212,134 in pledges so far. During this campaign, the Community Hospital Health Foundation Board of Directors also approved the transfer of $200,000 of the cumulative fundraising from An Evening for Hospice. Sixty Community Hospital employees have donated to the campaign.

Four students were awarded $500 each from the Joe and Alice Edwards Scholarship fund.

The foundation also donated $30,000 to the surgery department for the purchase of a new C-Arm machine, Shipshock reported.