With about seven weeks left until it’s complete, the new 52,000 square-foot addition to Greene County Medical Center will be open for public tours this Saturday, July 11, from 9 am to noon.
Similar tours for benefactors and supporters were held Wednesday evening. Medical Center CEO Carl Behne explained that one reason for holding the tours this far in advance of opening the new expansion is so that residents can get a look at some of the “workings” of the hospital, like the electrical and data “super highway” that will be above the suspended ceiling.
Behne is pictured at the large nurses’ station that will serve the acute and skilled care rooms. Most rooms will be single rooms, but some are large enough to accommodate a second patient should the need arise.
Behne emphasized throughout the tour the three goals of the expansion- to provide greater patient privacy, better access to care (including emergency care), and to improve efficiency.
The tours on Saturday will provide an up close look at the new patient rooms, which are designed for privacy and personal comfort of patients and family members. The new emergency department will be on the tour, as well as the private pre/post surgery rooms. With some areas still under construction, visitors will also get an up close look at the complexity of the building project overall.
When open, the expansion will house inpatient rooms; new labor/delivery rooms and nursery; surgery; imaging; laboratory; respiratory services; pharmacy services; and the much more visible and accessible emergency department.
After the expansion opens, renovations will begin simultaneously on the current acute area and outpatient services areas. Behne estimated that would take 11 to 12 months to complete.
Tours on Saturday will be done in small groups and last approximately 30 minutes. Visitors are asked to meet under the big tent in the main parking lot.
