ATLANTIC –   Cass County Health System will be hosting a community open house on Sunday, June 10, 2012, from 1 – 5 pm.  The open house will showcase the completion of Phase 1 of the CCHS Addition and Renovation Project.  Guests should enter via the the main north entrance.

            “We are so excited to share the progress with our community!” said Pat Markham, CEO.  “It’s hard to believe we broke ground just 14 months ago, and now we have this beautiful new addition.  The improvements in facilities and equipment are amazing, and will enable us to continue providing outstanding care for our patients.”

            The main emphasis of Phase 1 is a two-story 42,250 sq. ft. addition, mostly to the southeast of the existing hospital.  The main floor of the new area includes the Emergency Department and Admissions, Same Day Surgery and Surgery Department.  All of the areas have been designed to maximize patient privacy and security, while accommodating the latest in medical technology.  The second floor of the addition houses Inpatient Services, which includes Obstetrics, Medical/Surgical, and Intensive Care Units.  Highlights of this area include large, homey patient rooms, each of which has a pull-out love seat for family members and a private bathroom with shower.  Having all the Inpatient Services centrally located will allow staff to be cross-trained and serve patients more efficiently.  Another major improvement in the new addition will be the updated air-handling systems which will allow more comfortable, consistent temperatures in patient rooms.

            Work was also done at Atlantic Medical Center during Phase 1, with the expansion of Suite C to create a separate Obstetrics/Gynecology area, and the remodeling of some existing space to create Suite D with six additional family medicine exam rooms.  “We have been very successful in recruiting and retaining our family medicine staff the last few years, so we needed additional space to provide care to more patients every day,” Pat explained.  “With the expanded clinic hours of 7 am – 7 pm four days a week, the AMC is able to accommodate almost all patients on a same day basis when needed.” 

Finally, the CCMH atrium area has been redecorated, thanks to the CCMH Auxiliary’s very generous $140,000 donation.  The Auxiliary funds were also used to purchase new flat-screen televisions for patient rooms and waiting areas in the new addition.

            The AMC addition and remodeling was completed last fall, and those areas have been in use since that time.  The hospital areas will move into the new addition shortly after the open house; the main floor departments will move the weekend of June 15, with the second floor departments moving the weekend of June 29.  “We do ask for everyone’s patience as we make this transition,” Pat noted. “Our staff has done a lot of planning and preparation, and hope to make the move with as little disruption to patients and families as possible.”

            Immediately following the move, work will begin on Phase 2 of the Addition and Renovation Project.  This will include remodeling of an existing 22,000 sq. ft., primarily for improved outpatient services.  The remodeling will take place in several phases as departments are moved to new locations, freeing existing space for work.  “We will do our best to keep the community informed as we move departments into temporary locations, and then into their permanent new homes,” Pat said.  “Remodeling is usually more disruptive than new construction, so please be sure to ask any of us for help if you need it – we’ll be happy to help you find your way!”