Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 2, 2019

KH . ORG 5 Construction on the third floor of Kootenai Health’s east expansion project is now complete. The new unit will be used to care for a variety of patient populations, including patients with general illness or medical concerns and oncology patients. It will also provide space for specialized rooms dedicated to neurology, epilepsy and stroke patients. In addition to new patient rooms, having a brand-new and completely empty medical unit provides a unique opportunity. “Before we open the new unit, we’re going to use the space to temporarily host some of our older units, which will enable us to do renovations without losing any patient rooms,” Derek Miller, executive director of Facility and Property Services, said. “It’s not often you have an opportunity to renovate an entire hospital unit at once Designed for the best of care To learn more about the services and specialties available at Kootenai Health, visit KH.org . THE 3 EAST without taking any patient rooms out of service in the process.” During the summer, two hospital units will shuffle to 3 East to make room for renovations to their existing space. 3 North and 3 South will move for about six weeks before returning to their original locations to make room for the next unit to move into 3 East. “We are excited about the updates coming to our unit,” said Camey Yeager, 3 North nurse manager. “With 3 East opening soon, it will be nice to have an updated look to fit in with the rest of the third floor.” Roomswithaview 3 East is scheduled to open for patient care in October of this year, once the other nursing unit renovations are finished. This expansion will result in an additional 30,000 square feet—including 32 private patient rooms with upgraded technology and equipment—and, Derek noted, some of the best views in the hospital. “As Kootenai Health continues to expand the services we provide, more patients are coming here for their care. This includes patients from other regional communities,” Derek said. “This new unit will help accommodate these patients and provide a beautiful, updated space that was specially designed for our staff to provide the best care possible.” Before it opens, 3 East will temporarily host other units so they can be upgraded too By Andrea Nagel SHUFFLE The 3 East construction project is now complete. The unit is scheduled to open later this fall.