Project at Samaritan Hospital finishes first phase

Simplot gives $20,000 to Surgery Expansion Project

MOSES LAKE — Plans are moving ahead steadily for the completion of the Surgery Expansion Project at Samaritan Hospital.

The $2 million project scheduled to be completed in October will create a new space for the Cesarean Section Surgery Suite on the second floor of the hospital.

The renovation will eliminate the need to transfer patients from the first floor where C-sections are currently performed and open up space in the four existing surgery suites for other surgical procedures, as well as increase the number of rooms for pre- and post-operative care.

A recent pledge of $20,000 from the J.R. Simplot Company will be used to complete the project, making a total of $376,000 fund-raised for the project to date.

"We appreciate the many services provided by Samaritan Hospital to Moses Lake area residents, including our employees and their families, and trust this gift will help ensure project completion," stated Fred Zerza, J.R. Simplot Company Vice President of Public Relations in the commitment letter to Samaritan Healthcare Foundation.

The first phase of the project began in May and cleared out space for the C-section sweet, relocating the infant nursery, a few patient rooms and employee work stations.

Dave Campbell, executive director for the Samaritan Healthcare Foundation, said the first phase was the most challenging as it required the hospital to reformat its use of space while still continuing to serve patients.

With nearly 1,000 babies born every year at Samaritan Hospital and more than 3,000 people visiting the short stay surgery unit in 2004, the need to expand hospital services is essential to adequately serve patients.

Campbell said he is confident the second phase of the project will be completed by the end of October.

In the future, upcoming projects hospital administration are considering are expansion of the emergency department, providing additional room for medical specialists and reconfiguring the surgery department.

For additional information on the Surgery Expansion Project, please contact Campbell at 764-2904.