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| Besides checking out the newly renovated HCMH facilities many people took advantage of the free health screenings offered. In the photo above, seniors line up for blood pressure checks and a glucose screening. |
Renovated hospital welcomes community
By Mary Loden, Of the News-Tribune
An open house was held at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital and Britt Medical Clinic last week to showcase the extensive renovations made to the facility in the last eight months.
“The open house was a great success. We estimated that nearly 200 people toured the new renovations and participated in several screenings being offered in different departments,” said Vance Jackson, hospital CEO and Administrator.
In November 2007 the HCMH Board of Trustees accepted a bid of $2.3 million from Henkel Construction in Mason City for a three-phase renovation project. The areas of the two buildings targeted for change were the Emergency Department, Britt Medical Clinic and the hospital maintenance area.
While the clinic was being renovated temporary modular units were in place so patient care was not interrupted.
“The last of the modular units were removed on June 3 and the clinic has been in full operation since May 27, the day after Memorial Day,” Jackson said.
He said the last details to be completed were landscaping and the canopy in front of the clinic and those were finished two weeks ago.
Visitors to the clinic were amazed by the new look and impressed with the ease of operation.
“We've received many comments from patients and family members on the calming effect of the color scheme and quiet environment-both were intentionally designed to make a visit to the doctor or ER less stressful,” Jackson said.
In the Radiology wing visitors checked out the new 16-slice CT scanner, received a bone density test and took a look at the new addition to the building, which provides a covered walkway directly from Radiology to a mobile MRI truck.
Visitors were invited to tour the facility at their leisure as well as browse through the new gift shop and enjoy an ice cream sundae in the cafeteria.
Even before renovations were complete board members and staff were already looking into the future.
“As part of our strategic planning process we are looking at what should be the next area of improvement,” Jackson said.
“Once the Board of Trustees has looked at all the options, we'll develop our future plans.”
Story created Aug 26, 2008 - 09:59:29 CDT.
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