Eureka Springs Hospital Commission Chair Kent Turner said he knew getting the estimated $54 to $55 million needed for the expansion of the city hospital “was going to be a task.”
Now, it could even be more of a challenge, causing the hospital commission to begin thinking that plans may need to be revamped.
At the commission’s monthly meeting on Monday, March 18, Turner told commissioners the hospital’s recent change in designation from a Critical Access Hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital may change the viewpoint of government officials who might consider helping with funding for an expansion project.
In addition, Turner told commissioners that he also wants to wait to see what ideas several architecture students from Kansas University present in their analysis of the project. A group of about 18 KU students recently evaluated the hospital for possible renovations that align better with the new designation.
The KU program picked the Eureka Springs Hospital for its final project of the semester.
“I really kind of want to see what KU comes up with because, I do think, given the funds that are out there and knowing that we’re not going to get much done in an election year, I think we’re going to need to relook at the hospital expansion in total, and literally, with the help of KU, maybe define exactly what it is we need,” Turner said. “And since we’re still working with the state, that task might be harder since the state knows full well that the hospital doesn’t have to be as large as we had it for a Critical Access Hospital.
“We’re going to have to take a look at that.”
The topic will continue to be discussed by the commission at an upcoming workshop, Turner said.
CEO REPORT
In her monthly report, hospital CEO Angie Shaw said her staff continues to make preparations for anything that might come up on Monday, April 8, the date of the highly anticipated total solar eclipse.
“We’ve had multiple conversations regarding the upcoming eclipse …,” Shaw said. “We’re currently working on an action plan just to make sure that we have everything outlined and readily available resources if we should need them, whether that be staff on call or making sure we have plenty of supplies.
“It’s still an unknown how that’s going to affect us at this point, other than having an influx of visitors to the city.”
Shaw told commissioners that the hospital is searching for a full-time respiratory therapist, but two interviews have been scheduled. Physical therapy services have also been moved to the hospital building, she added.
“The space is working out,” Shaw said. “We’ve been getting good reviews from the patients that have been coming in and using it.”
A gastroenterologist has started leasing the hospital’s clinic facility and saw their first round of patients over the past week, Shaw said, adding that the specialist will start doing procedures at the hospital beginning in April.
