Moving patients, services from old to new hospital requires precision logistics

Above, the new $30.6 million Caldwell County Medical Center stands ready to receive patients at 100 Medical Drive off U.S. 62 West in Princeton. — Becky Fields/Herald Ledger

Opening the new $30.6 million Caldwell County Medical Center means hospital service is closer and more accessible for Lyon County patients. Closer means arrival time saved, and time saved could mean lives saved.
The medical center is located at 100 Medical Center Drive, which runs off U.S. 62 West between the E.W. James Grocery and the old Walmart parking lot. The location is across town from the old hospital on Ky. 295 on Princeton’s southeast side.
About 25 percent of the hospital’s inpatients and 23 percent of outpatients come from Lyon County, Chief Executive Officer Charles Lovell said.
Sunday’s ribbon cutting for the new hospital attracted more than 800, and another 300 attended a Thursday night sneak preview for employees.
The new 69,257-square-foot medical center has 25 beds, emergency room, spacious lobby and hallways all on one floor.
Lovell said construction, for which ground was broken Sept. 24, 2008, was completed on time and on budget.
Staff, patients and medical services will move from the old building into the new during a four-hour period Oct. 31. However, the move will require precise logistical coordination.
“At 6 a.m. both emergency rooms will be staffed,” Lovell said, noting that both cannot operate at the same time. “If the old emergency room is empty at 6 a.m., it will be closed. ... Once the ER is closed we will put up barriers.”
The media will be asked to inform the public that the old facility is closed and the new facility is receiving patients.
“At 7 a.m. we will begin moving inpatients; a nurse will go with every patient,” he said, noting that a few patients will be moved at a time. He hopes to have all patients moved by 2 p.m.
Earlier in the week, Lovell plans to meet with patients and their families to ensure they are fully informed.
“We think we have a good plan in place,” Lovell said. “On that Saturday, our only focus will be on moving patients.”
Some laboratory equipment must be moved, but X-rays won’t be a problem, he said. Crittenden County Hospital will assist with lab tests, and home health employees will serve as runners during the transition to ferry tests samples between the two facilities.
A fact sheet distributed before construction began outlined the financial impact the hospital has on the community:
 Employs about 199 with an annual payroll of more than $5.5 million and projections indicate by next year, employment will increase to about 220 employees thereby increasing payroll to about $6.625 million.
 Pays more than $137,525 in county and city taxes, which is estimated to increase to $165,625 by next year.
 Three to five new physicians could be recruited within the next few years to replace those who retire, and it’s estimated they would earn total salaries of $1 million.
Because of the flagging economy, some doctors who might otherwise retire may opt to continue their service, Lovell said.
 An additional 20 employees who might be required would generate about $416,000 in wages and adding $35,000 in city and county taxes.
 Construction created a significant financial impact on not only the Caldwell-Lyon economy but also on the region.
 Economic conditions created by the recession prompted a significant rise in charity care in the last three years —from $343,676 in 2006 to $540,000 in the last year, said Chief Financial Officer Shane Whittington.