Hospital Replacement Project Continues To Design Phase

Uvalde Memorial Hospital continues the process of a hospital replacement project as the schematic design phase comes to a conclusion and design development is beginning to take place. Parallel to the design process, the hospital board and administrators, alongside owner’s representative Steve Larson from Next, Inc. and architectural firm Perkins+Will, have begun the processes of identifying a potential construction partner over the coming months.

The Hospital anticipates the new, 2-story facility to be complete in late 2020 for a cost of $83.5-million. The new building will expand the hospital’s current footprint of 170,000 square feet to an 180,000 square foot configuration. The larger layout will meet regulatory standards and transform the hospital’s delivery of care to better accommodate patients, visitors, and staff with new efficiencies and improved amenities not currently available.

As the project continues, the hospital board and executive team wish to keep the community well informed and very involved in the process.

Why is it urgent that this building project begins now?

With the conversion to CAH status there is a window of opportunity to replace the facility and receive additional reimbursement from CMS to assist with project funding. UMH obtained a very favorable interest rate from USDA, and interest rates will likely not become any more favorable in the near future. Projections for UMH’s continued success depend upon having modern facilities that meet CMS code for the provision of care. Patient rooms do not meet current regulations and infrastructure in the facility is starting to fail. Replacing the plant before substantial failures happen will save future resources. Remodel or replacement options were evaluated and revealed replacement was less costly and will cause less interruption of care for the community.

What is the economic impact of UMH on Uvalde and how will that change with the new hospital?

The hospital conducted an economic impact study in 2015. Results showed UCHA has a total revenues impact of $82.7 million, total direct labor income impact of $29.8 million, and generated retail sales of $9.2 million in Uvalde County. The new facility is projected to increase hospital revenue by 3-5% and help ensure the continued financial success of the organization. This success will translate to continued economic impact on the service region.

Didn’t we just complete a campaign for the Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center?

The campaign for the KMRCMC was completed in December 2009 and exceeded $5.4 million providing radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients in a nine-county region. The project also expanded medical specialty services including orthopeadics, general surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, and women’s health.

If healthcare is focusing more on outpatient care, how does a new hospital benefit the community?

Like hospitals around the nation, the bulk of services provided 10-15 years ago were inpatient, and hospitals were built accordingly. Today, most services are outpatient, meaning patients go home the same day of service. A new facility will focus on the industry-wide shift with an efficient, patient-centered layout housing outpatient services in a centralized manner with user-friendly, easy access for patients and visitors. This focus will also allow inpatients to experience additional privacy during overnight stays, as inpatient units will be housed away from outpatient services.

Will any of the current departments or services be discontinued?

The hospital board and administration do not anticipate any reduction in services. The more efficient layout will house some departments in larger areas, or smaller areas, based on each service’s needs. The number of patient rooms in the new hospital will remain consistent with current hospital operations of 25 inpatient beds and 20 outpatient beds. Care under inpatient and outpatient status will remain seamless from a patient perspective. Recently, community perceptions that hospice services might be discontinued were not accurate and stemmed from a state-funded study of UMH that reviewed the financial viability of each department. Following the study, in-house adjustments were made to ensure the viability of hospice.

How will a new building improve healthcare in the community?

A new layout designed to meet regulatory standards will transform the delivery of care to better accommodate patients, visitors, and staff with new efficiencies and improved amenities not currently available. The new facility will also provide opportunities to implement new technology and equipment such as fully integrated operating rooms, controlled access for patient and visitor safety, the latest environmental systems reducing risk of infection, advanced patient call and response systems, and cutting edge diagnostic tools.

What will UMH do with the property behind the current hospital, particularly the areas in the flood zone?

A new facility will lie southeast of the current facility and will allow services to continue uninterrupted until occupancy of the new facility. Behind the new site, the hospital will work with the City of Uvalde and Uvalde County to develop adjacent property to provide possible opportunities for public recreation in the future. Though not an immediate priority, walking trails, sports fields, and other activities are potential projects.

USDA funding does not allow for construction to take place in flood-zones and the hospital plans to capitalize on these areas by highlighting the natural, undisturbed beauty of the landscape seen from the new patient rooms.

Does UMH own other properties, such as nursing homes? Will this affect funding the campaign?

The hospital owns Kate Marmion Regional Cancer Medical Center, located on the main campus. Across the street, the hospital owns stand-alone buildings that house Crossroads Behavioral Health, public relations and development, and the hospice program.

In addition, as part of a federal government reimbursement program, the hospital manages 26 nursing homes. UMH has committed for interim capital financing, and receives a percentage of the government reimbursement for these homes. This partnership allows the nursing homes to make upgrades to their facilities to meet quality measures and allows the hospital to generate income from the management contract.

TIMELINE

The architectural firm Perkins+Will was selected by the hospital board in June 2017. Since that time the firm has confirmed space needs assessments, reviewed preliminary design options, completed site visits to neighboring facilities, and developed more detailed renderings. The hospital is using a construction management at risk (CMR) delivery model and completed construction drawings are anticipated to be ready by October 2018. Tentatively, construction will begin January 2019 and following this timeline, the finished facility would be completed within 18-24 months, opening between June 2020 and January 2021.

For additional information on the building project or hospital tours, please contact the hospital’s administration office at 830-278-6251 ext. 1131 or communications specialist, Karla Radicke, at 830.278.6251 ext. 1037.

Picture: Attached are preliminary renderings of the new facility. The hospital will host an open house for the public to view more finalized drawings during National Hospital Week in May.