Phase one is just finishing, phase two is about to begin, and phase three is yet to be determined. Those are the steps as Ascension-Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff soon begins the $5 million second phase of renovation.
Work centers on outpatient service areas including rehabilitation services, cardiac rehabilitation, wound care and the emergency department.
President of Ascension-Howard Young, Sandy Anderson, gives an example how it will benefit patients...
"....when you enter into the emergency-ambulatory entrance you come through the vestibule you face a wall and registration is to your left and the ER double doors are to the right. Now as a patient you'll come through the vestibule and you'll be greeted by somebody right there...."
Anderson says the waiting room will be open and staff can easily see the people needing help. There's also a triage room where staff can more easily give patients the best treatment. In cardiac rehab, Anderson says, the rehab will be in the center of the walking track, so patients can talk with each other. She says all wound rehab will be done in one spot, and there will be a new pediatric rehab area.
She says a study showed the need for about 32 hospital beds in the community. Anderson says phase three depends on the outcome of Marshfield Clinic's pursuit of a nearby 12-bed hospital...
"....it caused us to pause. If they do build a 12-bed hospital, do we really need 10 ICU beds, do we really need 32 med-surg beds. We're waiting to see until they finalize plans whether we need 32 beds or maybe 20 beds...."
Marshfield Clinic's permit request to build their facility has been denied by Oneida county, but an appeals process is available.
Anderson says the rain slowed completion of Ascension-Howard Young's phase one construction, but that is ending. Anderson says there's a new access off Highway 51
