The Shadow
Bath Community Hospital Board of Directors Chairman David Troast speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony Monday. Bath Community Hospital kicked off a three-year, $14 million expansion and renovation project that will upgrade hospital facilities. Bath Community Hospital operations and services will continue as usual during the project, which is expected to continue until 2015. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
Bath Community Hospital Board of Directors Chairman David Troast speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony Monday. Bath Community Hospital kicked off a three-year, $14 million expansion and renovation project that will upgrade hospital facilities. Bath Community Hospital operations and services will continue as usual during the project, which is expected to continue until 2015. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
Bath Community Hospital and community leaders broke ground Monday on a $14 million expansion and renovation project. From left, Bath Community Hospital CEO Jason Paret; Dr. Donald Myers, a retired physician; Dr. James Redington, Bath Community Hospital chief of staff; David Troast, chairman of the Bath Community Hospital Board of Directors; George Phillips, a hospital board member; Don Killoren, also a hospital board member; and Bruce McWilliams, chairman of the Bath County Board of Supervisors. The project is expected to continue into 2015. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
Bath Community Hospital and community leaders broke ground Monday on a $14 million expansion and renovation project. From left, Bath Community Hospital CEO Jason Paret; Dr. Donald Myers, a retired physician; Dr. James Redington, Bath Community Hospital chief of staff; David Troast, chairman of the Bath Community Hospital Board of Directors; George Phillips, a hospital board member; Don Killoren, also a hospital board member; and Bruce McWilliams, chairman of the Bath County Board of Supervisors. The project is expected to continue into 2015. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
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HOT SPRINGS — Bath Community Hospital has embarked on a three-year, $14 million expansion and renovation.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday that previewed such enhancements as a new helipad, larger emergency department, new cafeteria and more space to provide the latest medical services.
Community leaders joined hospital employees in also announcing plans for a community fund-raising campaign to start next month.
“Today we are officially embarking on a much-needed renovation of Bath Community Hospital,” said David Troast, chairman of the hospital’s board of directors. “We must ensure this hospital is providing the services that this community needs.
“With the recent conclusion of a community health needs assessment, Bath Community Hospital has been able to identify and incorporate the findings into this two-year project, which will improve access to primary care, provide greater privacy to patients, and allow Bath Community Hospital to expand other outpatient services and ensure we can continue to provide modern, more specialized care close to home for generations to come,” Troast added.
The project will include:
•An onsite helicopter pad to reduce transport times for critically ill patients;
•A state-of-the-art emergency department;
•Modernized reception area designed for patient privacy and comfort;
•New and expanded medical clinic;
•New cafeteria for patients, visitors and staff;
•Modernized and expanded radiology department;
•Modernized and expanded inpatient physical therapy and respiratory therapy;
•Modernized and expanded medical laboratory;
•New and expanded staff and administrative offices;
•Upgraded and redecorated inpatient rooms.
“With the implementation of health care reform, Bath Community Hospital must adapt the services it provides to the changing laws,” Troast said. “As a federally designated Medically Underserved Area, we are a 24-hour, critical point of entry into the health care system for residents and visitors alike.
“Given the vital role we play in the community, it’s imperative that we offer the latest in emergency, primary and skilled care, outpatient services, physical therapy and wellness services,” he said.
Added Troast: “For the hospital and for Bath County, today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a shared journey with a common goal – to advance the availability of health care in our community and create a comprehensive center for health and wellness in the county that is a model of excellence in rural healthcare.”
Jason Paret, the hospital’s CEO, says the renovations and expansion will improve care and recruit top-notch medical professionals.
“We have a great need to have a more modern, state-of-the-art department to provide residents the type of emergency care that could save their lives during critical times and provide the privacy that they deserve,” Paret said. “These plans will provide faster access to specialized emergency care. The addition of a helipad located beside the hospital will dramatically reduce medical transport times. In addition, having a modern, state-of-the-art hospital will help to attract high quality physicians, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers.”
Paret stressed that hospital operations and services will continue as normal during construction, which is expected to continue until 2015.
To help pay for the renovations, Troast said a community fundraising campaign is planned. Details will be revealed at a community barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m. at the Old Dairy in Warm Springs.
“As a critical access facility, Bath Community Hospital, despite its small size, has been able to provide the community with excellent emergency and primary care services in an ever-changing environment,” Troast said. “It is critical that we expand and modernize and we look forward to building something special together.
It starts with today. It is a time to invest in our community and invest in our healthcare.”
Bath Community Hospital is a not-for-profit, critical access hospital committed to providing high-quality, mission driven health care. The hospital has a licensed capacity of 25 beds for acute or skilled care. The medical staff, nursing staff and other health care professionals all function as a multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless delivery of care for all of our patients.
Bath Community Hospital provides 24-hour emergency services, as well as a select range of diagnostic services, rehabilitative services and specialty clinics.
To learn more, please visit www.bcchospital.org.
