In the second phase of ongoing renovations at Kosciusko Community Hospital, new private patient rooms and an Optima MRI system were unveiled at a Thursday afternoon ceremony.
Phase one included a new intensive care unit and progressive care unit.
Steve Miller, CEO of KCH, said the hospital was going to continue to grow so as to “satisfy the healthcare needs of Kosciusko County.”
KCH is a part of the Lutheran Health Network that includes eight clinically integrated hospitals.
Miller said being a part of the network has “allowed KCH to grow.”
Perhaps the biggest change to KCH is the hospital’s third floor.
All patient rooms have been converted to private patient rooms.
The 220-square-foot rooms each have a private bathroom with shower.
All rooms also have computers as all hospital records are moved to a digital format.
As customers enter KCH they also will notice new sidewalks.
Miller said that with traffic changes near the hospital, the new sidewalks were there to increase the safety of those visiting the hospital.
“We will always err on the side of safety,” said Miller.
Next week, as the rooms open up on the third floor, renovations to the fourth floor will begin as more rooms are converted to private patient rooms.
The number of rooms in the hospital, however, won’t change.
The fourth-floor project should be completed by May.
Miller said the renovation projects going on at KCH aren’t just in terms of building improvement.
“We’re also building a new culture here,” said Miller. “We want you to be satisfied. We’re going to do it right. Every patient. Every time. Every interaction.”
Six new physicians have joined KCH’s staff, and Miller said more full-time hires are expected in 2011.
Miller said it was important to bring in more speciality care for patients.
Joe Dorko, president and CEO of Lutheran Health Network, was also on hand for Thursday’s event.
“This is starting to feel like an annual event,” said Dorko.
Calling it one of the most advanced diagnostic tools in the region, KCH also introduced its new Optima MRI system.
The 13,000-pound machine allows for more comfort for patients and took nearly eight months to complete.
The machine came over in one piece. A hole had to be cut in the back of the building to install the machine.
The temperature-controlled room has its own generator in case of power loss and has such a magnetic pull that if a can of hairspray was held just inside the door it would be pulled to the machine.
Thursday’s event coincided with a Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event.
