Hospital renovation plans underway

Among the topics of discussion with regard to Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital, one that’s generated plenty of talk is the planned $16.4 million renovation and addition to the existing hospital. During Tuesday’s meeting of the hospital Board of Trustees, Theresa Brigden of Vizient RE spoke via teleconference about the services the company can provide.

Brigden noted she is responsible for the consulting services Vizient offers with regard to capital and construction solutions. Among those services are working with architects, engineers, contractors and sub-contractors on projects, managing construction costs and finding opportunities for clients to save not only on construction but items needed afterward, such as light bulbs and air filters.

Brigden further explained there is a team that works with the contractors and sub-contractors, to help them access the discounted pricing. Further, she said, the firm looks at what its clients are doing and will be doing, to negotiate pricing accordingly. She added Vizient can also negotiate pricing for capital purchases, such as medical equipment.

Vizient also recently expanded into architectural services, to provide further service to its customers and a full “turnkey solution,” Brigden said.

Hospital CEO Margie Molitor noted Vizient does have a relationship with an architect who does design/build work. Molitor further added they would like to have someone come out for the capital equipment assessment, as the $16.4 million tag for the project doesn’t include any new capital purchases, and it’s been suggested the money for such purchases be added to the capital budget over several years, so it is there when it’s time to buy the equipment.

Also during the meeting, Hot Springs State Park Superintendent Kevin Skates spoke with regard to a possible sidewalk project along the south side of the building. Skates expressed concern about the current layout, which includes sections of sidewalk along the hospital and neighboring facilities before completely cutting off. This means that for some distance, between the hospital and the river, people must either walk in the grass or on the street.

Over the past few years, Skates said, there has been work done on the sidewalks and irrigation in the park. Taking into account the planned expansion for the hospital, however, sections of existing sidewalk would have to be moved, which Skates acknowledged. He further proposed working with the board to look at how the sidewalk might be done around the expansion project.

The full sidewalk project is not a necessity for this summer, Skates said, and could be approached again when there is a better idea of what the hospital will do. He was encouraged to work on the sidewalk west of the hospital parking lot, which he plans to do this summer or fall.

During the action agenda, the board approved signing a letter in support of the hospital as a community trauma hospital. Trauma Coordinator JoAnn Moore presented the letter, noting the board’s signing it allows trauma unit staff members to do their jobs.

An engagement letter with Piper Jaffray was approved. The firm was selected to be the hospital’s financial advisor and partner in obtaining finances for the expansion project.

The board will also move forward with a midlevel provider agreement with Red Rock Family Practice. The agreement allows for sharing of a nurse practitioner.