Gritman Medical Center in Moscow, Idaho, announced that its upgraded sterile processing department went operational this week following an 18-month project to enhance services and upgrade surgical capacity.
The project began with construction of a new electrical room on the northeast side of hospital’s main campus, which allowed Gritman to power the upgrades, including relocation of the department to the second floor of the hospital’s 1960s wing and purchase more advanced equipment to help it increase surgical capacity.
“We were able to complete this project thanks to the hard work and foresight of our Surgery, Sterile Processing and Engineering teams, as well as contractor teams who worked for many months to make this upgrade a reality,” said Gritman President and CEO Kara Besst. “Thank you to those teams and thank you to everyone across the organization for adapting to changes caused by construction over the past year and a half.”
“This state-of-the art department is designed to support our surgical services well into the future, with updated technology, strengthened infection control standards, and improved processes that enhance efficiency and safety,” said Surgery Director Angie Thomas. “The new space also supports our continued growth and helps meet expanding operational needs.”
The upgrades coincided with an ownership change at the nearby Palouse Surgery Center; Gritman last year purchased a remaining 40 percent ownership stake in the ASC from its physician owners last year, after already owning the other 60 percent. “This transaction allows the hospital to better utilize the Palouse Surgery Center space to meet patient demand and more evenly schedule surgeons across the Gritman System,” states the medical center. The private, nonprofit community hospital says its ASC will also benefit from the upgrades.
Photos of the project are available on the Gritman Facebook page.
