Greater Regional Hospital Approves $500,000 in Vital Upgrades
BREAKING NEWS: Greater Regional Health has just approved nearly $500,000 in crucial upgrades to accommodate its rapid expansion. The decision was made during a board of trustees meeting on Monday, with three significant capital purchases greenlit to enhance hospital operations and patient care.
These essential purchases include state-of-the-art firewalls for data security, new medical devices for sleep studies, and updated flooring for the Medical Arts Plaza. Notably, $358,000 of the total costs will go towards upgrading the hospital’s data server firewalls, which have been struggling to keep up with the facility’s growing demands.
Network and Systems Analyst Ryan Cook highlighted the urgency of the firewall upgrades, stating that existing systems, installed in 2020, are reaching their limits. “Everything we do anymore is over internet connections,” Cook explained. The new firewalls will not only resolve frequent system restarts and outages but will also enhance network traffic visibility across all GRH locations, including the Creston site.
Chief of Staff Matthew Epp echoed the importance of these upgrades, suggesting they could lead to a productivity boost of up to 10% for the hospital’s 450 employees. “This improvement could significantly impact our total cost and efficiency,” Epp stated, emphasizing the value of smoother operations.
In addition to the firewalls, the board approved the purchase of new sleep study equipment from Nox Medical, valued at $111,314. Respiratory Therapy Director Katy Brown noted that these new stations and home devices are crucial for expanding GRH’s sleep lab capabilities. “We see about 20 in-lab tests and 25-30 at-home tests monthly,” she stated, highlighting the need for more advanced data collection.
Lastly, the Medical Arts Plaza will receive new flooring, with a successful bid of $28,534, well below the initial estimate of $45,000. Chief Clinic Officer Carol Eckels presented this purchase, which aims to enhance the overall patient experience in key areas of the hospital.
These updates are not just logistical; they represent a commitment to improving patient care and operational efficiency at Greater Regional Health. The board’s decisions come as the hospital looks to continue its growth trajectory through 2025 and beyond, with funding support expected to cover a significant portion of these costs.
As Greater Regional Health moves forward with these vital upgrades, the community can anticipate enhanced healthcare services and a more robust infrastructure to meet the needs of its patients. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
