HOISINGTON — Clara Barton Hospital broke ground Tuesday evening on its expansion project that actually began earlier this year. They are adding a 5,577 square foot addition for Therapy Services and internal laundry facilities.
“Thank you for sharing in a milestone for your hospital,” said Michelle Moshier, executive director of the Clara Barton Foundation, told the group that filled the Turnball Safe Room.
“How excited I am this day has finally come,” said Curt Colson, president and CEO of the hospital. “This project allows us to meet the continuing advancement of our healthcare services and the growing needs of our community.”
Colson gave a brief history of the hospital, citing the changes and growth.
Although the ground breaking was Tuesday, construction and project planning began much earlier. The campaign goal is set for $1.3 million based on expected costs.
The current Therapy Services department size is 1,250 sq. ft., and the building size will be increased by 2,204 sq. ft.
The staff of nine providers delivered 19,947 treatments in 2013, an increase of 17 percent over the 16,985 treatments provided in 2012.
Therapy Services consists of services in the following areas: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Nerve Conduction Testing, Wound Care, Lymphedema Care and ASTYM Treatment, which is therapy used to break down fibrotic areas in muscles and tendons.
“The expansion of Therapy Services will allow us to provide better and additional services that space, in the past, has hindered us from offering,” said Mark Blackwell, physical therapist. “It’s great to see the Foundation, staff, and community working together to achieve this goal.”
In 2013, Clara Barton spent over $330,000 in laundry costs, outsourcing the cleaning of over 2,000 lbs. of laundry per week. Bringing laundry in-house, purchasing all the laundry equipment and linens, and hiring 1-2 additional staff, Clara Barton will save approximately $250,000 per year.”
A dirty room and a clean room will be a part of the new laundry services.
By adding laundry at the same time as Therapy Services, Clara Barton is saving close to $135,000 in building costs.
Once the project is completed, staff that works at the Barton County Annex will utilize the old laundry facilities.
The Clara Barton Hospital Foundation, in partnership with Clara Barton Hospital, is conducting a capital campaign to raise funds for an expansion project. The campaign started off with a bang over the last few weeks as the staff completed their “Building Together… Caring for Life” Employee Campaign.
And a success it was, with the employees pledging over $122,758, surpassing their goal of $108,000. “What a wonderful show of dedication by this staff,” Hospital CEO Curt Colson added. “It builds my excitement for the future even more to know that our staff can come together in such a big way.”