From the Herald and News
Merle West gets bigger, better
By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer
A bigger, brighter and more technologically savvy hospital awaits the Klamath Basin at Merle West Medical Center.
Crews have worked at the hospital since early 2005 to bring three projects worth nearly $47 million to fruition - modernizing the facility and bringing it up to date with patient and staff needs.
“Some of this came from physicians, some came from patients, from caretakers. We were responding very specifically to the community's needs,” said Sally Ann Palkovich, director of the Merle West Medical Foundation.
A new wing will provide 84 beds in private and semi-private rooms. A short stay area on the ground floor of the hospital will work with patients who need to stay only for 24 hours or less, freeing up to 35 beds throughout the facility, said Leslie Flick, vice president of support services.
The first floor will have an espresso shop, medical bookstore and dining area.
Hospital officials say also they worked to make the hospital more navigable.
A three-story atrium that looks out onto one of two gardens will be the focal point. It will provide abundant natural light and provide a reference point for visitors. Colored pavement outside the hospital will make it easier for visitors to find the entrances for the emergency room and general admission, officials say.
The healing gardens will provide places to relax for physicians and patients and have been a point of interest to visitors, Palkovich said.
Technology will benefit from the construction. Media centers will be throughout the hospital, providing opportunities for visitors to do research on medical conditions.
A new records system will provide physicians and medical personnel with wireless devices to receive any necessary information on a patient. And the system will update records the moment new data is entered, whether that is at a nurse's station or in the phlebotomy lab, Flick said.
New staff offices and rest areas will greet hospital staff when construction is complete. Most staff areas were moved outside treatment areas to provide them opportunities to fully recharge from serving patients.
“If we're not 100 percent, we can't give 100 percent care,” Flick said.
Workers have experienced a two week delay but have begun working on Fridays and Saturdays to ensure the projects are finished on time, she said. Hospital officials said they expected to have the keys to the new facilities in mid- to late February 2007 and open it for use in April 2007.
The community has been supportive of the improvements. People have visited the hospital to see progress on the renovations and construction. Sally Ann Palkovich, Merle West Medical Foundation director, said one patient gave $2 when he checked out. “He wanted to see it done,” she said.
Scheduled, public tours are available during construction. Call Palkovich at 885-4768 for more information.
DETAIL-ORIENTED CHANGES DETERMINED BY RESEARCH
While the obvious benefits of additional space and upgrades are a major aspect of the hospital projects, there are detail-oriented changes that are just as important.
The hospital conducted 18 months of research before bringing any other group to the table for the projects, vice-president of support Leslie Flick said. It investigated how colors, shapes and textures can have a positive neurological effect upon patients and staff, helping them to heal and work more efficiently and quickly.
It's all about making visits to the hospital as painless and non-disruptive as possible, Flick said.
“When you come to the hospital, it's never a good thing,” she said.
Muted and warm earth colors were chosen for their soothing quality. Furnishings in patient rooms will change depending on the age and needs of each patient. An art catalog with pieces available for display in rooms will be available for patients to choose from.
For sound control and a homelike feel, carpet will be installed in the hallways, having been ripped out several years ago.
Individual rooms have other details that cater to a patient's needs. Each room will have its own bathroom and temperature control. Visiting hours will be abolished, allowing family and friends to visit whenever needed, even staying the night on roll-away beds in the room. Staff will set meal schedules to when patients want them, and provide a large menu. “We shouldn't ask patients to change their lifestyle,” Flick said.
H&N photos by Andrew Mariman
Foundation director Sally Palkovich looks over the new construction at Merle West from a second floor window.