KC Star Reports on Medical Center
Posted By J.T. on September 30, 2009
As reported here at Cass Politics last week, the old medical center will be sold by the County to help pay down the debt on the new Cass Regional Medical Center. The Kansas City Star had an article on the move, most of which can be read below.
From the Kansas City Star:
The move will also represent an evolution from a small-town hospital to a regional medical center with the latest in healthcare architectural design. By the turnout at an open house over the weekend – nearly 2,000 attended – the area is ready to move into the future.
Since the old hospital was built in 1962, the county has more than doubled in population. That building lacked many features that patients and families have come to expect in a hospital visit. “We now have the room to accommodate advances in medicine and expand our services,” said Chris Lang, the hospital’s chief executive officer. His first duty when he arrived in 2003 was to find a way to either expand the old hospital or figure a way to build a new one.
His choice was clear – the old one sat on 15 acres and was landlocked.
So in 2006, Cass County voters approved a revenue bond package to pay for a new building. The 81-acre site was then purchased for $3.2 million.
The new hospital’s 138,000 square feet more than doubles the size of the old one. It has the latest in medical imaging, surgery and emergency room technology and equipment.
Three large surgical suites are designed to allow any surgery done today. There is also a water therapy unit and 35 private and semi-private rooms. A problem with the old hospital was a crowded emergency room with only five bays. Staff did not even have a private room to deliver bad news to family members. The new ER has nine private rooms, one cardiac treatment room and three rooms for specialized trauma, orthopedic and obstetrical/gynecological cases.
The staff will include more than 230 full-time employees and 136 part-time workers. About 25 physicians will be on active staff and another 100 physicians and specialists will be on consulting basis.
And these days, part of being modern is getting back to nature. The new hospital’s décor is natural color schemes and offers views of two gardens. There is also a gazebo, fountains and winding paths on the grounds.
Hospital board chair Linda Sherman said the new facility will benefit the area not only in medical services, but also “improve our quality of life and our economy with the additional jobs it brings to the area.”
Patients are scheduled to move into the new building starting today.
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If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.,