SYLACAUGA — Phase One of construction on the new facility at Coosa Valley Medical Center was completed Wednesday, and the first patient passed through the doors of the new ambulatory entrance at about 3 p.m., officially marking the beginning of operations there. Construction on the new entrance began in late September, and although it’s a little behind schedule, hospital administrators are excited about the change to their facility.
"This is Phase One of the West Wing Project, and the next thing you know, the new hospital will be built," said hospital spokeswoman, Vanessa Green.
With the relocation of the entrance, the hospital staff is confident its services will be greatly improved.
"Moving the ambulance entrance will help expedite the delivery of patients to the hospital," said Amy Price, vice president of patient care services.
The entrance was moved to the north side of the hospital, giving ambulance drivers more convenient access to the hospital.
"I’m excited to get out of that construction zone," said driver Jeff White. "This is much more open for us to make the turn in and back in."
Heather Bennett, director of the emergency room at Coosa Valley, agreed.
"It’s much more accessible," she said.
Drivers now have a straight shot at the entrance, while previously, they had come from the back of the hospital.
It will also allow the ER staff to better care for the patients.
"It’s just a much more conducive layout for patient care," Bennett said.
She said that patients will now be able to go directly to the nurses’ station instead of having to come around the backside of it like they did with the old layout.
"The opening of our new ambulance entrance represents the first significant step of our West Wing Project, clearing the way for additional work," said Glenn Sisk, president and CEO of CVMC. "This will allow our Emergency Department staff to better serve patients during times of significant emergencies."
This is just the first part of the $19.5 million building project, said Charles Woosley, project manager.
He said the cost of Phase One construction was not calculated separately from the entire cost of the project. He said it was done first, though, because the old entrance would be in the way of laying the foundation and the building of the West Wing structure.
"There’s only Phase One and Phase Two," Woosley said. "And it’s operational and that’s exciting. Now we can concentrate all our efforts on the West Wing building."
Footings for the new building have already been set in place, and soon the foundation will be poured.
The final result will be a four-story, 120,000-square-foot health care facility with more than 80 inpatient rooms.
Hospital administrators are expecting construction to be complete by spring of 2007.
