Harrison Memorial Hospital Announces Opening of New Expansion

Harrison Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce its recent multi-million dollar expansion opened October 31. 

This recent expansion includes:

• a new 20-bed medical/surgical floor, offering private patient rooms;
• a new Specialty Clinic area, which has expanded from 11 to 15 exam rooms; and
• a renovated wing to house the administration department.

The HMH Board of Directors began planning for the project in 2013, and in October 2015, construction began on the new building. This expansion added 40,250 square feet to the HMH Campus, with a new building situated to the rear of the campus. The project also included a 7,350-square-foot renovation. 

“Taking on an endeavor of this magnitude always comes with its challenges, but we’ve managed to successfully meet our Fall 2016 target. The end result is a new, state-of-the-art facility, offering a much enhanced patient experience for our patients and their families,” said Sheila Currans, HMH Chief Executive Officer. “It’s just what we envisioned – a hospital expansion that focuses on our patients, whether it be through private patient rooms, diagnostic testing consolidated into one area for convenience, or expanded Specialty Clinic space which allows for increased specialty physician availability.  Our goal is to always remain progressive, yet thoughtful, so that we may remain viable in this very complex healthcare system.”

With the new 20-bed medical/surgical department, each patient will now have a private room and private bathroom. The department is located on the new building’s second floor.

“During the initial planning phase, we were faced with a number of obstacles. First, we had been working with a building that was constructed in the late 1960s.  All the mechanicals – electrical, plumbing, HVAC – were at the end of their lifespan. In addition to that, we had to account for the reality that healthcare standards and medical technology are constantly changing. This new expansion allows us to stay in line with that curve,” said Brian Mulberry, M.D., HMH Board Chairman.

“We take a great deal of pride in the fact that our hospital infection rates rank among the lowest in the country. Having private patient rooms and bathrooms helps us continue toward our goal of zero infection, by adding another barrier to many of the multi-drug-resistant organisms, or superbugs,” Currans said. 

Not only does the medical/surgical department open October 31, but the HMH Specialty Clinic will be located in a new area as well. The HMH Specialty Clinic was created in 1983 to bring medical specialties to our region, such as cardiology, pulmonology, etc. This prevents our patients from having to travel long distances for continued care. Our Specialty Clinic has grown from having three physicians each month to 18 different specialties offered by 30 different providers monthly. As a result, we expanded our clinic from 11 to 15 exam rooms and four physician offices. 

Focusing on patient needs and the hospital’s own strengths has been a driving factor for this project. And, renovation is now underway to complete the next phase of the project. In mid-December, HMH will add an Urgent Treatment Center (UTC) in the current space occupied by the HMH Specialty Clinic.  The UTC, which will be located next to the HMH Emergency Department, will be open 9:00 a.m. until 9 p.m.

“We recognize that a key way to reduce healthcare costs for everyone involved is through the appropriate use of our emergency department. That’s why we will construct a full-service urgent treatment center right next door to our ED, where we can skillfully assess incoming patients and triage them to the most cost-effective treatment path,” said Currans.

HMH will also demolish a portion of the original medical/surgical structure by the end of 2016. The remainder of the former medical/surgical department will be renovated for new offices and conference areas. The entire project is expected to be complete by Spring 2017.

The multi-phased renovation/expansion also reinforces Harrison Memorial Hospital’s desire to remain an independent healthcare facility. As many other facilities across the Commonwealth have been purchased by out-of-state, for-profit healthcare systems, Harrison Memorial Hospital has remained committed to operating independently.      

“It’s our belief that we, as residents of Harrison and surrounding counties, have the ability to best interpret what our friends, family and neighbors truly need in healthcare for our region,” said Currans.  “And, with the collaboration of the HMH Board of Directors, HMH Medical Staff and employees, the project is now a reality for our community.”

About Harrison Memorial Hospital

Harrison Memorial Hospital, located in Cynthiana, Kentucky, is a community-owned, not-for-profit, independent, 61-bed hospital that was established in 1906.  It offers a full range of services and an exceptional staff.  HMH has more than 400 outstanding employees, in addition to a 15-member active physician staff and more than 100 physicians on consulting staff.  Harrison Memorial is considered by its peers as a progressive entity in rural health.