Medical center finishes phase I of expansion

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Wednesday, July 18, 2007 (2 years, 8 months ago)
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DELPHOS — It may have once been true that “cutting edge” hospital designs were only represented in cities such as Cleveland and Cincinnati. Now, one of the region’s leading medical providers has amenities to match those found in metropolitan hospitals.
St. Rita’s Medical Center dedicated phase one of its $130 million, 340,000-square-feet “Medical Center of the Future” Monday. The new wing on the hospital’s west end has patient rooms which include a 42-inch flat screen television and DVD player. The facility is designed with a view of the outdoors from almost everywhere on a respective floor.
“The evidence-based approach, as it’s called, is the result of research that shows a direct link between patient health, quality of care and the way a hospital is designed,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Jim Reber.
With decorative fountains indoors and out, the second floor lobby, which is at street level, features television screens with scenic videos behind the front desk and near the elevators. The Fr. Larry Eiting Chapel is just north of the seating area, while a gift shop and the High Street Cafe are south of the main entrance.
“Contributions totaling more than $10 million have made it possible for St. Rita’s to not just build a bigger hospital but to incorporate the most advanced technology while creating a tranquil, beautiful place for the entire community to enjoy,” Reber said.
Directly above the lobby is the Henry and Beverly Hawk Heart Center. Patient rooms throughout the facility are designed the same so nurses know where equipment is in each room. Patients will begin using the fourth floor in approximately two weeks.
“The reason we’re having the open house is because the first patient floor is ready to receive patients and will do so on Aug. 1,” Reber said.
“There is work that will continue through the end of the year and we had to vacate the old lobby and related space before we could move forward.”
That space will be home to a Walgreen’s Pharmacy and coffee shop. In-patient admissions and check-in, a health resource center and lobby fireplace will also be added.
The expansion isn’t only good for the hospital and its patients but also for the area economy.
“We estimated that the Medical Center of the Future would create 300-500 new health care jobs. To date, we have hired more than 500 people, including 278 nurses,” Reber said.
The project has produced $50 million in construction payroll and $750,000 tax dollars for the City of Lima.
While some floors are in use, construction will continue on others.
“Over the next three years, we will open a new floor in the tower every year. Then, we will probably go back into old spaces and enlarge those rooms. They were built in 1977 and aren’t large enough to accommodate families and patient care equipment,” Reber said.

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