Oswego Hospital Project Continues To Make Progress As New Sections Open For Patients

OSWEGO, New York – A new laboratory featuring the latest automation and instrumentation along with an intermediate care unit (IMCU) have recently opened as part of Oswego Hospital’s latest major renovation project.

The six-bed intermediate care unit offers a new inpatient care service.

“This is another opportunity for us to meet the community’s healthcare needs,” said Lorrie Galletta, RN, clinical nurse manager of the new unit. “We will deliver care to patients that need continuous monitoring, but are not sick enough for the intensive care unit. Staff trained in critical care nursing will provide direct care, ensuring an excellent quality of care.”

Meanwhile, the lab’s new automated equipment includes an Advia work cell that moves specimens along a track stopping them at stations where specific tests on that sample need to be performed.

“The staff is very excited about having this state-of-the-art technology to work with,” said Laboratory Manager Ed Hogan.

The $18 million project is supported in most part by a $14.4 million HEAL NY grant. Construction work began in August 2009 and is expected to be completed later this year.  In addition to the lab and IMCU, other hospital departments have also opened and include, health information management, volunteer office, office of the vice president for medical affairs, a meditation room, and physicians lounge.

Although Oswego Hospital has seen major construction and renovations change the services and building infrastructure in recent years, the current project may be one of the most ambitious yet, according to Project Manager James Basile.

“In past projects, we added significant new spaces that we would construct and complete before staff moved in,” Basile said. “But with this project, we are renovating, and making better use of space that already exists, while the hospital continues to serve patients throughout the construction area.”

“We are moving whole departments to temporary homes, then to new permanent homes,” he added. “It’s like trying to renovate your home while living in it. It takes a great deal of coordination and teamwork and in the end, every department in the construction area will have moved and then subsequently has totally new, renovated space.”

The biggest impact on the public during construction is the relocation of the emergency department entrance to West Sixth Street. The main lobby entrance has also been closed while new areas in that portion of the building are rebuilt.

The main entrance is expected to open by early April and is where a new snack bar and gift shop, operated by the Oswego Health Auxiliary will be located.

While all the recently opened hospital spaces are important, Oswego Health President and CEO Ann C. Gilpin said the new emergency room, is the clinical area that will most likely impress the public the most when it opens later this year.  “This completely renovated new emergency room will have 17 private rooms, ready to treat the community with all of the latest medical equipment,” Gilpin said. “This is the department used most by the public and we have strived to make it as comfortable and patient friendly as possible. Along with the private rooms, the waiting areas will be large and welcoming. Our customer care representatives will be on hand in the waiting area 24-hours a day to ensure patients and their families are kept informed on the care that is being provided to their family member.”

Oswego Hospital is part of the Oswego Healthcare system that includes The Manor at Seneca Hill, a skilled nursing facility; Springside at Seneca Hill, a retirement living community; an urgent care center in Fulton; as well as health services centers in Mexico, Parish and Phoenix.  For more information on Oswego Health call (315) 349-5500 or visit www.oswegohealth.org.

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