By Anonymous
Plans are under way for the construction of Blanchard Valley Health System’s (BVHS) new Imaging & Women’s Center in Findlay, Ohio. The facility, to be located in the health system’s EasternWoods complex, is scheduled for completion by summer 2009.
The overall budget for the 20,000 square foot project is just under $11 million. The facility will include the relocation of the existing Woman Wise Mammography Center that is currently housed in the Blanchard Valley Hospital.
Ferguson Construction has been named general contractor and Harley Ellis Devereaux the architect.
According to the hospital, it currently has very limited space at the current center. It performs over 10,000 mammograms annually, and that number is expected to rise with a growing number of women reaching the age for recommended screening.
“Some of the imaging capabilities in the main hospital are presently operating – actually scheduling – procedures 16 to 18 hours per day,” stated Jim Brooks, owner’s representative for construction projects. He added that, even though the imaging services are available at all times for emergencies, outpatients are scheduled on two shifts. The new building is designed to alleviate the overcrowding and provide additional service and scheduling options to the east side of Findlay, according to the hospital.
One side of the new building will house an outpatient imaging center for both men and women and include a CT scanner, MRI, ultrasound, mobile PET scan, and general diagnostic radiology room. The other portion will be devoted to comprehensive women’s services, including digital mammography and bone densitometry. This layout is designed to allow for efficient utilization of resources while still maintaining patient privacy by diagnosis as well as gender, the hospital explained.
Additionally, the proposed design of the center includes a large central welcoming area with a greeter to assist patients to the appropriate area for their testing; changing and waiting areas that are private and specific to gender and type of testing; a blood drawing station to allow for a more expanded continuum of services in one location; full field digital mammography for enhanced imaging detail; an MRI that can be used for simultaneous imaging of both breasts as well as biopsy; osteoporosis/bone health services; a room available for multi-disciplinary breast consultations with patients and physicians; genetic counseling; an educational library with Internet access and print materials; a conference room space for expanded support group as well as greater programming of all types; space for a future retail boutique where patients would have access to a variety of specialty products such as prosthesis, wigs, bras, clothing, and other items; and proposed space for a labyrinth, an ancient sacred meditation tool for reflection and spiritual enlightenment designed to help lead to a more balanced spiritual, emotional, physical, and psychological well being.
Blanchard Valley Health System is the non-profit parent corporation of an integrated regional health system based in Findlay. Governed by a community board of trustees representing large and small business, education, law, medicine and finance, BVHS oversees all operations.
Blanchard Valley Hospital, the anchor subsidiary of BVHS, was founded in 1891 as the Findlay Home for Friendless Women and Children. The health system has experienced major expansions in 1958, 1967, 1977, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2007.
BVHS serves Hancock, Allen, Putnam, Henry, Wood, Seneca, Wyandot, and Hardin Counties.
Copyright Telex Communications, Inc. Sep 2008
(c) 2008 Toledo Business Journal. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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