Years of investments transform hospital

Since 1995, Rome Memorial Hospital has invested millions of dollars in building improvements and moveable equipment. People who return to the hospital for the first time in many years are pleasantly surprised by all that’s been accomplished. Every floor of the hospital has been the site of renovation - from major construction for the creation of new or expanded services to general refurbishment.

1996 Three birthing suites were created when the Maternity Department was reconstructed and relocated to the hospital’s fourth floor. The complete renovation focused on creating a more homelike environment for new parents and their newborns. The same year, the administration/finance wing and the lobby received cosmetic improvements.

1997 Renovation of the hospital’s Residential Health Care Facility doubled the number of skilled nursing beds to 80 on its third floor. The expansion enabled the hospital to offer more short-term rehabilitation care as part of its continuum of services. The hospital also revitalized its second floor Special Care Unit and renovated the former Goldberg’s Building to house its Business Office. This building later welcomed the hospital’s Information Technology, Materials Management, Print Shop and Transcription Departments, as well as PrimeCare, a primary care and prenatal care clinic.

1998 The north wing of the fourth floor was gutted and rebuilt to provide space for a new 14-bed Physical Medicine & Rehabitation Unit for patients who have suffered a debilitating injury or illness, such as a stroke. The Therapy Department on the ground floor was also refurbished, as well as the Patient Registration Department to create a more private environment for patients during registration.

1999 Upgrades to the fourth floor Ambulatory Surgery Unit and first floor Operating Room and Post Anesthesia Care Unit focused on flooring, ceilings, wall coverings and furnishings to create more attractive surroundings. Women also gained a more private, comfortable space to have their mammograms with the creation of a separate mammography suite.

2000 The south wing of the second floor was gutted and rebuilt to provide a secure therapeutic environment for the hospital’s new 11-bed Senior Behavioral Health Unit for seniors experiencing depression and other acute mental illnesses. The Emergency Department was also updated with new flooring, ceilings and wall coverings.

2001 A new retail pharmacy opened on the hospital’s ground floor to make it easier for hospital patients and staff to get their prescriptions filled. The endoscopy suite was renovated and expanded to provide more space for the growing number of cases.

2002 The hospital’s North James Street entrance was redesigned with ramps and doors that open automatically to enhance handicapped accessibility. As a result of the redesign, handicapped accessible parking could be added in the hospital’s front circle. The hospital also relocated its pre-operative interview offices from the fourth floor to the first floor to provide more treatment space in the Ambulatory Surgery Department.

2003 The major “construction” project for this year was the creation of a master facility plan to assess the hospital’s existing facilities, anticipate future growth and outline plans for the future. From this plan, constructing a new Emergency Department emerged as the top priority.

2004 Engineers and architects developed plans for the new $4 million Energy Center and $6.5 million Emergency Department as sitework was initiated to pave the way for construction. The Energy Center project upgraded and relocated the hospital’s mechanical systems, including emergency generators, boilers and chillers, to a free-standing facility.

2005 Following the completion of the Energy Center, the hospital broke ground for the new Emergency Department on Oct. 25th. A 2,600 square foot addition was also constructed at Chestnut Commons to provide space for intensity modulated radiation therapy for cancer patients.

2006 Construction of the new Emergency Department was completed ahead of schedule with the new facility opening Dec. 20. Phase II of the project to create a separate ambulatory entrance, traffic circle and new elevator is expected to be completed by the end of April 2007. The hospital received state approval to build a new outpatient center with an on-campus MRI and commissioned a new master facility plan.

2007 Lab and Pharmacy will move to the second floor of the new Emergency Department when construction is complete in the first quarter of the year. Support departments will move into the new ground floor space. The hospital will renovate its classrooms to create a new suite for a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner and break ground on its new outpatient center with on-campus MRI.