Hancock County Memorial Hospital News
Construction Begins at HCMH
Groundbreaking has begun on our new renovation project. Henkel Construction from Mason City was awarded the contract and began work in November. The project is broken into three phases and involves the Emergency Department, the Britt Medical Clinic and Maintenance/MRI access.
“We’re undertaking a large renovation project while maintaining daily operations,” says Vance Jackson, HCMH CEO/Administrator. “There may be some short-term inconvenience in exchange for long-term improvements, but clinical operations will continue uninterrupted during construction.”
Patients and visitors will notice the following changes during construction, including:
Emergency Department
Renovations to the ED will provide an improved entrance, updated treatment rooms, and a comfortable waiting area with a receptionist. There will be separate entrances for ambulances and walk-ins and a reconfigured patient drop-off area will provide easy access and convenient parking.
These renovations were developed in response to feedback we received from patients and the community that requested easy access to the facility and prompt attention once they arrived.
Britt Medical Clinic
The Britt Medical Clinic will be vacated during renovations and clinic operations will be moved to a modular unit in the hospital parking lot, south of the existing building. By completely vacating the space, the clinic can be renovated in a much shorter time, which will save money as well as provide clinic space that is not disrupted.
Once renovations are completed, the Britt Clinic will operate using a pod system designed so each medical provider will have his or her own nursing team and patient coordinator. After checking in at the main desk the patient will be sent back to their provider’s pod for preliminary work, conducted by the nurse, while the provider is visiting with a patient in another room with no interruption of service.
To further the continuity of care provided at the Britt Medical Clinic, specialty physicians will move to the clinic area. Having the specialists in the Britt clinic will also allow more privacy for patients and greater efficiency for providers, nurses and schedulers.
Maintenance/MRI Access
The third phase of the renovation process will include a small addition to the maintenance wing to accommodate additional mechanical services. The most important patient-friendly feature of this phase is the addition of a covered walkway directly from the radiology department to the mobile MRI truck that provides services one day a week.
The clinic project is scheduled for completion in May 2008 and the entire project should be finished by June. Patients and visitors will notice improved privacy and confidentiality, reduced wait times and expedited treatment.
