The mood among hospital employees is “happy, but stressed,” said Larry Peterson at Tuesday night’s meeting of hospital trustees. AN OPEN house for hospital employees and their families will be on Wednesday. Tours of the new hospital will be provided.
“It’s a beautiful facility, but there’s so much work to do,” Peterson said of transition to the new hospital in less than a month. Peterson is chief financial officer of the hospital.
The countdown is 21 days before the doors open to the new Allen County Regional Hospital.
Administrators refer to the transition as being a “juggling act,” to keep systems functioning at the current hospital and yet starting up at the new.
Big and little items are being placed in the new hospital, from tea and coffee dispensers to the impressive headwall systems installed behind patient beds to provide easy access to technology, data and gas systems. In less than two weeks a new CT scanner will be installed.
Arriving daily is new furniture, equipment, stain glass for the hospital chapel, artwork to hang on walls, and interior and exterior signage.
On the outside, “it’s starting to green up,” said Tim Moore, project engineer for Murray Company, of the hospital grounds. TLC Greenhouse of LaHarpe has been in charge of landscaping.
Foundations for the large outdoor signs have been poured, Moore said. The signs should be in place by next week.
“It’s punch list time,” Moore said of the final inspection process. “I’m happy with what I’m seeing.”
And if no surprises happen, the handoff from the construction company to the hospital should be in order next week. “That’s when all the warranties will go into effect,” Moore said of the “substantially complete” designation that signals the transfer of responsibilities.
Transfer of patients will be Oct. 29, the same day doors to the emergency room officially close at the old hospital and open at the new.
On Oct. 17, an invitation-only reception will be for donors, city leaders, and those involved with the hospital’s construction.
On Oct. 18, ribbon-cutting ceremonies will launch an open house to the general public beginning at 11 a.m.
Hospital transition a ‘juggling act’
