The Salem Township Hospital Board was updated on numerous improvements at its monthly meeting Wednesday.
Hospital President Alex Nazarian says work continues to move forward on converting the old A wing patient area into a doctor’s office facility.
“We have finished the demolition of the old space and now we are in the pre-build timeframe. We have met with local contractors interested in taking part. We will keep this as local as possible and will start the selection process by the end of this week.”
Nazarian says the goal is to have the new facilities ready for occupancy by the end of the year.
He reports work on the front parking lot below the front canopy entrance is scheduled to begin May first.
“Essentially the project is raising the level so it’s on one flat surface. That will make sure our patients with mobility issues can move around and use that space. Right now its difficult, you have to come park, climb stairs, etc…and we just want to make it more convenient for them.”
The project will include adding a retaining wall between the raised parking lot and Richter Drive below. Nazarian anticipates construction will take three to four months to complete.
Nazarian reported the hospital is in the process of installing its new CT scanner. A temporary unit has been placed on the new concrete slab poured for the addition of a PT scanner as the old CT unit is pulled out of the radiology department and the new one is installed. Nazarian says the new CT scanner is twice as powerful as the old unit and is state of the art. He anticipates the installation to be completed by mid May. At that time, a PT scanner will begin visiting Salem Township Hospital providing services to cancer patients they have to go out of town to receive in the past.
Nazarian reported the renovation of the Family Medical Center on West Whitaker is now complete. With the addition of a second doctor and second nurse practioner he reports the volume of care has doubled in the past year. Even more important, Nazarian says satisfaction surveys show people are happy with their care.
