The design/build team of DiGiorgio Associates Inc. (DAI) and Monitor Builders Inc. (MBI) recently completed work with Lakes Region General Hospital (LRGH) , on a renovation project to improve the hospital's safety, efficiency and patient care by creating single bed patient rooms in the hospital's North 4 (N4) Tower.
DAI and MBI completed a 100,000 s/f, $37.5 million patient tower with LRGH in 2011 which included new single patient bedrooms and a connector to the main hospital and medical office building. This construction project did not include any of the existing building circa 1969 which prompted the need to upgrade a portion of the N4 Tower to allow for compatibility with the new tower beds.
Goals of the N4 renovation project included addressing the antiquated infrastructure of the building by the DAI Engineering team. Another goal was to recapture the five beds taken out of service when the hospital converted to all single patient rooms. Maintaining a 20 bed unit is essential for the hospital to operate more efficiently and ensure a better nurse to patient ratio. The hospital continues its commitment to all private room care to improve patient privacy and infection control while having sufficient beds to meet the needs of the community. LRGH and DAI also addressed the existing nursing station which was inefficient and in need of upgrades to allow for all nursing stations to be standardized for staff efficiency.
This project permits the continued use of a 45 year old building at the current standard of medical care. The renovations to the patient rooms will ensure that care is provided in a safe and private environment with family areas while ensuring improved infection control.
MBI began construction on this project in May 2014 and construction was completed in January 2015. Construction costs were $3.2 million.
DAI and MBI have been working with LRGH for over 25 years and are proud to continue their long-standing affiliation on this project to help enhance their services and better serve the community.