MRI Machine Finally Installed at HRH
The new space at Hawarden Regional Healthcare’s new space for an MRI machine now has the MRI machine.
Monday morning the machine was placed in its permanent space on the east side of the hospital in conjunction with the emergency department and clinic expansion. The crane arrived at about 7:45 a.m. just in time for the semitrailer with the MRI machine to pull up to HRH. The MRI machine was lifted off the trailer and then lowered into the modular building.
“The MRI will need connection to the mechanical system and testing of the machine to ensure it is running properly before training of staff on the new machine,” said HRH chief executive officer Jayson Pullman. “This is an exciting new in-house service that we can provide locally. The mobile solution has limits on what exams could be performed on the MRI truck. This will really enhance the delivery of care in our region.”
Current MRIs are done on a mobile unit which will be made obsolete once the MRI machine is ready to go at HRH.
HRH is hoping to host an open house for their recent hospital expansion and improvement project in the beginning of June.
The work being done on the about $11.2 million project is to renovate and expand the emergency and radiology department and build a new clinic connected to the current hospital facility.
“The project appears to be on track to obtain occupancy at the end of May,” Pullman said. “The tentative plan is to hold an open house sometime in the first week of June and to start seeing patients in the new space the second week in June.”
The groundbreaking ceremony took place last May, so Pullman is pleased to see the project is on track and scheduled to be complete one year after breaking ground.
CMBA Architects of Sioux City is managing the project.
Pullman said there is still some work that needs to be completed including recertifying the clinic with the federal government at its new location and to have the fire marshal inspect the new facility and determine if it is ready for occupancy.
“This is scheduled for the end of May,” Pullman said. “After occupancy, the emergency department will go through a full flooring transformation with epoxy applied to the entire department. The emergency department will support two more rooms, an ED manager office and a provider dictation/sleep corridor.”
Medical gases, oxygen, compressed air and suction connection is scheduled for today (Thursday, May 9).
This will be when contractors tie existing medical gas from the existing building to the new building.
“There will be some slight interruptions, contractors will be tying in flooring from the existing facility to the new facility,” Pullman said. “This will only cause some minor inconveniences as we get close to fully opening the facility.”
Located on the east side of HRH, the expansion that includes a new clinic will be on the same lot as the hospital but have a new address — 1122 12th St. The construction will help transition the new clinic space to the existing hospital.
As far as the projected total cost, Pullman said it is too early to tell if it will hit the original $11.2 million mark, but he is reassured by the hospital’s strong financial status.
“The building project is funded by an $8 million loan, and the other expenses come from revenue and reserves from the hospital,” Pullman said. “The cost of the project is ever evolving, so putting a price on the project now is premature. Hawarden Regional Healthcare is in a very strong position as we draw closer to the end of the project.”
The CEO is grateful for the investment the community of Hawarden and the surrounding areas have put into the hospital and said he hopes everyone makes plans to attend the open house in June.
“The community of Hawarden and surrounding areas have put a lot of investments into Hawarden Regional Healthcare over the years,” Pullman said. “The facility has grown and developed to become a regional leader in the region. Make plans to attend the open house in June, we would love to show you the project in detail.”