Columbia Basin Hospital to spend $260K on equipment, construction
The Columbia Basin Hospital Board of Commissioners approved equipment and construction costs of nearly $260,000 at Tuesday night's regular board meeting. The board also approved a resolution to set up the regular board meeting as the last Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
FILE PHOTO
EPHRATA — Columbia Basin Hospital’s Board of Commissioners approved more than a quarter‑million dollars in new spending Tuesday, including construction costs for a computed tomography scanner installation, new IV infusion pumps and a replacement electrocardiogram machine.
The largest expenditure was tied to the hospital’s new CT scanner, which the board purchased in 2025 but had not yet funded for installation. Chief Financial Officer Anthonie Zimmermann told commissioners the construction work is expected to cost between $138,000 and $148,000, and he requested approval for up to $150,000.
“We’re really excited to get the CT in,” Zimmermann said, saying the upgraded scanner offers more efficiency and effectiveness.
He added that installation requires structural changes because of the machine’s size and range of motion.
To avoid service disruptions, the hospital plans to rent a temporary CT unit. Chief Nursing Officer Benjamin Schultze said the rental will be placed where the MRI trailer currently sits.
“We should not lose anything during that time period,” Schultze said. “As soon as the new CT scanner is up and running, that machine will go out, and we’ll start the MRI.”
The board approved the construction funding unanimously.
Commissioners also approved nearly $96,800 to purchase 18 IV pumps, two pediatric syringe pumps, one PCA pump and 27 attachments. The hospital has been renting pumps after its aging fleet became no longer repairable, Zimmermann said.
Schultze told the board the rental pumps are also deteriorating.
“The rental ones that we’re renting right now are falling apart, too,” he said. “It’s kind of a Band‑Aid effect.”
Zimmermann said buying the pumps outright will save money long‑term, with a projected break‑even point around 20 months.
The board also approved up to $17,000 for a new CardiMax FX‑8400 ECG machine. The current unit is fully depreciated and cannot be repaired.
“It’s crucial that we have a working ECG for cardiac care in the ED,” Zimmermann said.
Schultze added that the new model will support future service expansion, including stress testing and higher‑acuity patient care.
“With this device, we can keep and build our cardiac stress test program here,” he said.
Commissioners adopted Resolution 2026‑01, establishing a new regular meeting time: 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month.
The board also formally acknowledged the resignation of Commissioner Catherine Snyder, who announced she is moving to Cheney.
“Thank you for allowing me to be on the board,” she said.
The hospital will begin advertising for applicants to fill the vacancy. Under updated state law, the board must nominate candidates, post the names publicly for at least 15 days, then consider public submissions before making an appointment. As of Wednesday evening, the position had not been posted.
Next board meeting:
March 31, 6 p.m.
Conference Room at Columbia Basin Hospital
200 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata