Building a Healthy Community:  Hospital Renovation & Expansion

Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center hosted an Open House on Sunday, September 14th to showcase the completion of its renovation and expansion which broke ground on February 14, 2007. A ribbon cutting & donor recognition program took place at 1:30 p.m. with an open house and tours following at 2-4 p.m.

Kayleen Lee, CEO says "Our patients will benefit from the renovation and expansion through improved patient privacy, expanded out-patient services and greater patient convenience." The project remodeled approximately 8,100 square feet of existing space and added 5,000 square feet of new space. Areas that were renovated include a new main entry & covered patient drop-off, nurses’ station, surgery, emergency room, laboratory and inpatient wing. Surgical facilities have been improved for out-patient medical services such as colonoscopies, gastroscopies, and other surgical procedures. A renovated operating and recovery room will improve patient flow. Privacy is improved through the addition of a private consultation room available for discussions between medical providers and family members. Relocating the emergency room closer to the nurses’ station improves access to patients. Several offices have been consolidated for improved efficiency.

The renovation created space for an on-site Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Room. This is an important early diagnostic tool. Dr. Tom Dean, Chief of Medical Staff and Capital Campaign Co-Chair said "Access to CT scanning has become a standard of care and reconfiguring the facility to meet the needs of increased out-patient services is a great benefit to both patients and medical providers." Roger Hainy, rural farmer/rancher and Co-Chair of the Hospital Capital Campaign added "Because of the rural nature of our area it is important to have an updated healthcare facility nearby, rather than losing precious time during an emergency to travel to a facility in another community." The enclosed walkway between Weskota Apartments and the Healthcare Campus has improved safety and accessibility. Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab and Wellness are now consolidated into one area so that equipment can be shared. The new community room will allow space for support groups, educational programs and wellness classes. Kayleen Lee, CEO says "A modern facility with advanced technology not only offers the best care to our patients in a rural area, but also helps attract and maintain physicians and healthcare staff."

Over $640,000 was pledged to the Capital Campaign over a period of 5 years. The county committed $750,000 from hospital designated reserves. A county-wide vote was held to approve the use of general obligation bonds up to $1.5 million to complete the project. A Community Development Block Grant was received in the amount of $309,000. The building and equipment are owned by Jerauld County. The facility is leased by Avera Queen of Peace Health Services in Mitchell.

Updated 6/13/08

Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs nears completion of its renovation and expansion which broke ground on February 14, 2007.    The project remodeled approximately 8,100 square feet of existing space and added 5,000 square feet of new space. 

Kayleen Lee, CEO says “Our patients will benefit from the renovation and expansion through improved patient privacy, expanded out-patient services and greater patient convenience.”  Areas that were renovated include a new main entry & covered patient drop-off, nurses’ station, surgery, emergency room, laboratory and inpatient wing. Surgical facilities have been improved for out-patient medical services such as colonoscopies, gastroscopies, and other surgical procedures.  A renovated operating and recovery room will improve patient flow.  Privacy will be improved through the addition of a private consultation room available for discussions between medical providers and family members.  Relocating the emergency room closer to the nurses’ station will improve access to patients.  Several offices have been consolidated for improved efficiency. 

The renovation will create space for an on-site Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Room.  This is an important early diagnostic tool.  Dr. Tom Dean, Chief of Medical Staff and Capital Campaign Co-Chair said “Access to CT scanning has become a standard of care and reconfiguring the facility to meet the needs of increased out-patient services will be a great benefit to both patients and medical providers.”  Roger Hainy, rural farmer/rancher and Co-Chair of the Hospital Capital Campaign added “Because of the rural nature of our area it is important to have an updated healthcare facility nearby, rather than losing precious time during an emergency to travel to a facility in another community.”  The enclosed walkway between Weskota Apartments and the Healthcare Campus has improved safety and accessibility.  Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab and Wellness is now consolidated into one area so that equipment can be shared.  The new community multi-purpose room will allow space for support groups, educational programs and wellness classes. 

Kayleen Lee, CEO says “A modern facility with advanced technology not only offers the best care to our patients in a rural area, but also helps attract and maintain physicians and healthcare staff.”  Over $640,000 was pledged to the Capital Campaign over a period of 5 years.  The county committed $750,000 from hospital designated reserves.  A county-wide vote was held to approve the use of general obligation bonds up to $1.5 million to complete the project.  A Community Development Block Grant was received in the amount of $309,000.  The project will be completed by late summer/early fall of 2008.  The building and equipment are owned by Jerauld County.  The facility is leased by Avera Queen of Peace Health Services in Mitchell.

Updated 11/2/07

Tellinghuisen has been pouring concrete for the main entrance of the hospital. They have also been working on setting the structural steel and completing the roof. Ostbye Masonry has also laid some brick in this area. The Commissioners approved the landscaping plan for the new entrance.

The west wing addition and renovation is progressing very well. Heil Electric, Krohmer Plumbing, Curt’s Heating & Cooling, FM Acustical, ProTec Roofing and Schuh Painting are finished. The Commissioners approved the landscaping plan for the corridor entrance, west door entrance and the area by Weskota Apartments. The North side will be done next spring.

The Maintenance Department has been installing the computer and telephone lines. The Business Office, CEO Office & Director of Patient Care Services will temporarily be moved to the new multi-purpose room and renovated office areas. Health Information and the Quality Coordinator will move into their new permanent office areas. The Physical Therapy Department will be moving into the new PT & Rehab area. Once that department is vacated, the clinic will temporarily be moving into the PT/Rehab area while new carpet is being installed in the clinic. After the carpet installation, the Laboratory Department will move into the former PT/Rehab area temporarily while renovation takes place in their department.
The renovated pharmacy is nearing completion located just north of the nurses’ station.

As of November 15th, patients and visitors should begin using the Wellness entrance during the construction. The renovated Wellness Center will also be opening at that time. All former members will be contacted to complete new membership forms.

Updated 6/18/07

The $1.9 million Renovation & Expansion Project has been underway at Avera Weskota Memorial Medical Center in Wessington Springs since the groundbreaking ceremony held February 14, 2007.    The project will remodel approx. 8,100 square feet of existing space and add 5,000 square feet of new space.  This project will allow for more outpatient services and improve patient privacy and staff efficiency.   According to Kayleen Lee, CEO “The facility was built 28 years ago in 1978 primarily as an in-patient facility.  As the trend towards more out-patient services continues, there is a need to make changes to address these needs.  In 1978, patients were commonly admitted for tests and procedures that are now done on an out-patient basis.”  The building and equipment are owned by Jerauld County.  The facility is leased by Avera Queen of Peace Health Services in Mitchell. 

The first step of the project was completed during the fall of 2004, when 850 square feet of patient area was converted into space for wellness and rehabilitation equipment. The second step was completed when Weskota Foundation contracted with Sherwood Consulting to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the potential for a Capital Fundraising Campaign.  The feasibility study recommended to proceed with the “Building A Healthy Community” Capital Campaign with a goal of $500,000.   As of 5/15/07, the goal was not only met but surpassed with a total of over $640,000 pledged over the next 5 years.  The county committed $750,000 from hospital designated reserves.  A county-wide vote was held to approve the use of general obligation bonds up to $1.5 million to complete the project.  The vote passed by an overwhelmingly 80.3%.  Property taxes will not be used to repay this loan.  The loan will be repaid through revenues generated by the hospital as stated in the lease with Avera Queen of Peace Health Services.  The hospital and county also worked with Planning & Development District III to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant and received $309,000. 

Areas targeted for renovation include the main entry/patient drop-off, nurses’ station, surgery, emergency room, laboratory and inpatient wing. Several offices will be consolidated for improved efficiency.  The renovation will create space for a Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Room.  This important early diagnostic tool is currently available only through mobile services.  The expansion will include an enclosed walkway between Weskota Apartments and the Healthcare Campus, which will improve safety and accessibility.  The expansion will also allow Physical Therapy, Cardiac Rehab and Wellness to be consolidated into one area, so that equipment can be shared.  This area will also include a community multi-purpose room for support groups, educational programs and wellness classes. 

Kayleen Lee, CEO says “Patient, visitor and staff safety is a top concern during this renovation project.  We have spent considerable time working with our Construction Manager Puetz Corporation to determine the phasing of projects to address safety and infection control, as well as patient and visitor convenience”.  The estimated completion of the renovation and expansion project is summer 2008.