Health Compass Newsletter

As the summer came to a close, CMH reached a major milestone with the BuildCMH Expansion Project by completing the design development phase. Many departments and hundreds of caregivers worked with our architect team from ZGF to outline the details of their spaces in the expanded hospital, breaking ground in late 2024.

The design development phase included the last major design work before moving into a more finalized budgeting and construction documentation phase, which is a quieter period as far as caregiver involvement goes. At the start of the year, we anticipate fully moving into construction documentation.

The new hospital facility will grow from about 56,000 to 182,000 square feet, with significant space improvements for the Emergency Department (ED), Surgery, Imaging and caregiver respite areas, in addition to other zones.

Learn more about how we'll grow into the additional square footage:

Emergency Department

The ED will gain nearly 10,000 square feet, more than doubling the number of treatment rooms. It will include Safer Rooms, allowing caregivers to accommodate a broader spectrum of patient types and acuity levels.

In addition, the ED will have its own imaging equipment, including a CT and x-ray unit, which will help patient flow immensely. Previously, the ED shared imaging equipment with our main hospital Imaging Services, so emergent cases would throw off a day's schedule. With dedicated machines, there will be less disruption for all patients.

Imaging

The number of mammography machines will double, allowing more patient access and shorter wait times for appointments.

Advanced imaging technology, such as new CT, MRI and PET CT machines, will be purchased.

A dedicated Interventional Radiology suite will also be constructed, allowing CMH radiologists to perform image-guided, minimally invasive procedures without open surgery.

Inpatient units (Critical Care, Medical/Surgical and Observation)

Inpatient room sizes will drastically increase, providing more space for patients and their visitors. All rooms will house only one patient, and they will be located on the third floor with views of the Columbia River or green spaces outside. Every room will also have a private bathroom and shower.

An Observation Unit, including four rooms (in addition to the hospital's 25 inpatient rooms), will increase access for same-day surgery patients and those who will be in the hospital for procedures for less than 48 hours. These rooms will free up other inpatient rooms for patients requiring longer stays.

Family Birth Center

Expectant mothers can anticipate a spa-like, holistic experience, with larger patient rooms; private bathrooms, including a tub and shower; and sweeping views of the Columbia River or green spaces outside.

Privacy

If you've been a patient at CMH, you may have experienced being wheeled through a public hallway to the surgical suite or procedure space. When the hospital was first built, patient privacy regulations and expectations were not what they are today. In the expanded facility, private corridors will provide more dignity and privacy for all patients.

Private rooms with their own bathrooms and showers will also augment patient confidentiality.

Surgery

CMH added a Stryker Mako SmartRobotics system in 2023 for total joint replacements. Plans for the expansion include additional operating rooms (ORs), with a separate OR dedicated solely for C-sections in the Family Birth Center.

Surgical spaces will grow from about 12,000 square feet to nearly 28,000 square feet, and pre- and post-operative rooms will increase from seven to 19, providing ample space for patients needing surgical services.

Caregiver amenities

Over the past few decades, caregiver spaces were reduced to make room for more patient services. In the expanded hospital, nearly 6,000 square feet will be dedicated for caregiver use only.

There will be private lounges, locker rooms and lactation rooms, with a respite area included on every floor. Caregivers may also access outdoor terraces that are exclusively for their use.

Built-in resiliency measures

Because the hospital is located in a tsunami inundation zone, the expansion will be built with resiliency in mind.

A deep pile foundation and steel structure will anchor the building to the ground, and the third and fourth floors will be able to accommodate up to 1,900 people as a refuge in case of a natural disaster.

In addition, critical infrastructure, generators and the helipad will be located on the roof, away from any potential hazards near the ground. This will allow the hospital to continue to function even in an emergency.

Categories: BuildCMH