A Close Look At Proposed Hospital

Operating in a 70-year-old building and facing rising patient numbers, Kimball Health Services is looking to build a new hospital.

Hospital officials say the new facility would enhance patient care, comfort and privacy, replace the current facility that's at the end of its useful life, and expand services to meet current demand and future needs.

The increase in services and patient numbers as reported by Kimball Health Services:

• Hospital discharges up 24%.

• Rural health clinic visits up 10%.

• Specialty clinic visits up 65%.

• Rehab services up 13%.

• Imaging service up 50%.

• Surgeries up from 16 to 303 in three years.

Kimball Health Services reports, "From July 2019 to July 2020, our hospital served just over 3,500 patients, and our two rural health clinics in Kimball and Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, serviced 4,650 patients."

The prospective "new hospital" project would be located at the current Kimball Health Services North Campus location with updates totaling over $31 million with funds to come from the USDA, private loans, bonds, and a capital campaign.

The Kimball Health Services brochure states renovations and updates will include:

• 18,157-square-foot renovation of the former West Elementary School building.

• 1,811-square-foot basement renovation.

• Construction of a single-story, 40,358-square-foot hospital east of the current North Campus structure

The new hospital's key improvements include patient rooms, additional services such as mammography, cardiac rehab, chemotherapy infusions, and an updated surgical suite. The physical therapy/occupational therapy facilities will consist of a walking track and a kitchen for home-based activity therapy. Updates to electrical, mechanical and broadband infrastructure systems will be part of the update.

On April 6, the Kimball County Commissioners will hear a presentation and review the proposed new hospital project. Kimball Health Services will request a letter of support, which is needed for the loan application to the USDA.

Additionally, according to Kerry Ferguson: "KHS staff are meeting now with stakeholders in the community to inform them of the need for a new hospital. We are seeking their input on structural design plans and financing options. We'll meet with the Kimball City Council on April 20. A pair of daytime and evening meetings with the general public, including our architect from CMBA Architects in Grand Island, will be held in April. We hope to meet at the KCTS meeting room. We hope to have a great turnout so we can answer any questions the public might have."