Walls going up on new addition at HSCMH

There’s plenty happening at what was formerly the southeast lawn of Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital as the new addition is well into its construction.

Hospital CEO Margie Molitor said Monty Wardell, superintendent of Sletten Construction, has about four different areas for the project and he’s very coordinated. Steel is still going up in one area, and walls will be put up in the next couple weeks of the operating room area. The last area completed will be the emergency room.

“It’s been broken into manageable increments as far as concrete pours,” Molitor said, noting that Wardell has been a very organized superintendent.

Though rain early in the summer cost the crew some time, Molitor said they’ve been more than able to make that up. In a couple weeks exterior finishes on walls will be put on, giving people a glimpse of the outside of the addition. Molitor further added there will be an exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) at the top, metal in the middle and rock on the bottom. September will see some of the EIFS and rock.

“We’re still looking a Phase 1 being completed in January,” Molitor said. This includes all of the new addition. She hopes to be moved into the new space by Feb. 1.

Looking at the frame of the building, one prominent feature is what appears to be a second story on the east side. Molitor explained this will not be usable space, but will instead house machinery such as air handlers.

Molitor also pointed out that Sletten is coordinating for operating room equipment and patient lifts, to get it installed as rooms are built. She’s planning for an open house so people can walk through the addition before any patients are admitted, during which she’ll be rolling out the official new logo for the hospital.

Molitor also commented on the impact to the hospital caused by issues in Riverton. “It’s a political issue,” she said, “so I try to stay neutral. I understand what the concerns are of the Riverton residents, but I also understand, from an operational side, why what LifePoint is doing makes sense, operationally. I can see both sides.”

LifePoint owns the SageWest Health Care hospital system in Riverton. In recent years, the hospital has struggled with continuing its services.

Molitor noted babies are no longer delivered at the community health center in Riverton, so obstetric patients have the choice of going to Thermopolis, Lander or Casper. Dr. Janet Frost of Riverton has privileges here to have her patients come and deliver, Molitor explained, and our local physicians have been happy to help out.

“Our OB business has doubled,” Molitor said, and patients leave here pleased with the quality of care, doctors and nurses. She’s hopeful this experience has patients choosing Hot Springs County Memorial for return visits.

“I don’t know that we’ve seen a lot of other business migrate over here other than OB. I think primary care is staying at home.”