ED renovation project.
After years of fundraising and planning, the Emergency Department renovation project at Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital will move from blueprints to hardhats and hammers.
Paused during the pandemic, project preparations launch this week and next with the temporary move of the Emergency Department to the hospital’s third floor. The plan allows construction to be uninterrupted and enable all Emergency Department clinical care to be delivered in a dedicated patient care area.
Manistee Hospital President and CEO James Barker said a multidisciplinary team has been working diligently to ensure a smooth transition of services, taking into consideration clinical, safety, quality, infection prevention, facility, IT, communication, and wayfinding needs.
“This renovation project is the result of many years of hard work and planning,” he said. “To see it finally become a reality is extremely gratifying. We are excited to provide updated space and privacy for our patients, as well as providing an enhanced work environment for our healthcare team.”
The move to the third floor is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22. Plans call for patients to be treated in the new space starting Wednesday, March 23.
Barker characterizes the current Emergency Department space as outdated, and renovations are necessary to address critical needs such as patient safety, privacy, and comfort, while delivering enhanced patient experience. The last renovations were made in the 1990’s with some sections dating back to 1968.
Thanks to 226 generous donors, the $1 million fundraising goal was achieved.
“It has been a long journey to get to this point,” said Deb Bowman, Emergency Department director. “Our Emergency Department staff are looking forward to providing care for our patients in this new space. We are very grateful for the generous support from our community.”
Once renovated, the Emergency Department will feature new heating, air conditioning, and ventilation equipment, additional airborne isolation rooms, fire suppression, enhanced security and lockdown capabilities, additional safety rooms for behavioral health patients, private rooms, and an integrated registration area within the department.
The project is scheduled for completion by October 2022.