Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 2, 2018

The third and final phase of Kootenai’s master facility plan that began in 2012. 3 East is set to be completed in early 2019. 3 East Is Going Up Last phase of construction to better serve you By Andrea Nagel Kootenai Health’s Board of Trustees has voted to begin construction on the third floor of the east expansion to include an additional inpatient unit in Kootenai Health. This will be the third and final phase of Kootenai’s master facility plan that began in 2012. The project is set to be completed in early 2019. This expansion will result in an additional 30,000 square feet, including 32 private patient rooms with upgraded technology and equipment. “This expansion is designed to meet the needs of our growing community,” said Jon Ness, Kootenai Health CEO. “As Kootenai Health continues to expand the types of care it provides and as more services are available here, more patients are coming to Kootenai Health for care. This includes patients from other regional communities.” Kootenai’s emergency department and operating room expansion projects are nearly complete. These service expansions are a response to increased patient volumes and a need for additional patient beds. The 3 East construction project will help improve patient experiences within an updated facility. Once completed, Kootenai will have 331 total patient beds. Roomto grow The new unit, 3 East, will be used to care for a variety of patient populations, from patients with general medical needs to oncology patients. It will also provide space for the development of future programs, including neurology, epilepsy and stroke. The project, expected to cost $12 million, will be paid for as part of Kootenai’s capital budget. A portion will also come from generous donations to the Kootenai Health Foundation. Kootenai has not assessed taxes since 1995, and there are no plans to assess taxes now or in the future. “Thank you to our community members for their continued patience as we grow to better serve our community,” Ness said. Coming together Learn more about Kootenai Health’s expansion efforts at KH.org/expansion . 32 private patient rooms with upgraded technology and equipment. KH . ORG 5