Hospital upgrades underway
Shoshone Medical Center is currently upgrading its entrances at its facilities including this section of the hospital's emergency department entrance, which will include a covered drive-through and walkway for external testing and screenings. This is just one of the many projects that is going on right now at the hospital and the SMC Family Medicine Clinic in Smelterville.
Photo by JOSH McDONALD
KELLOGG — Shoshone Medical Center is making some changes that will alter how folks go to and from their local facilities.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital’s administration saw that there was a need to change the entrance ways to their facilities that will allow patients and visitors alike to be screened for potential health concerns.
There are four primary projects that will take place at the hospital facility in Kellogg and also at SMC Family Medicine in Smelterville.
At the hospital, the plans are to extend the entrance to the facility’s emergency department, including the addition of a new hallway that will allow patient’s access to the ED without them having to make their way through the radiology department.
According to SMC maintenance director Bill Burdett, both the hospital and the family medicine clinic will get new enclosed waiting areas that operate with a negative air pressure ventilation system and will be added to their respective lobbies.
“The enclosed area combined with the negative pressure airflow will help isolate and facilitate treatment for individuals that may be experiencing an infectious illness,” Burdett said. “It will also provide an indoor space for screening patients and visitors when necessary.”
The emergency department will be expanding to add access to an additional two-bed patient treatment room which will also be equipped with negative pressure airflow.
They are also building a covered drive-through area where things like screening and testing can be done that is adjacent to the entrance to the ED.
An enclosed walkway extending from the existing hospital exit will allow staff to access the drive-through area so testing and other services can be provided outside the hospital when necessary.
According to the hospital’s admin, all upgrades and remodeling are projected to be completed by the end of June.
“We are fortunate to have the funding and capability of adding these enhancements that will further support safe patient care in our facilities,” said SMC CEO Paul Lewis. “These upgrades will help in the current pandemic environment and also support preparation for any potential future infectious disease situations we may encounter.”
According to Burdett, the project will cost more than $200,000 and is being funded through COVID relief dollars designated for rural hospitals.