When Will Phase 2 Open?

Now that construction of phase 2 has ended, this is the question on everyone's mind. Ours too! Work crews completed some final items earlier this week, and both exterior and interior signage will be posted in about a month. We expect to apply to the Illinois Department of Public Health this week to request our occupancy permit. It's likely the IDPH will be on-site in about 30 days to inspect the wing. After the visit, they have another 30 days (roughly) to issue the permit. No one can move into or use the space until the IDPH issues the occupancy permit.

Fun fact

There has been much discussion about the artwork hanging in phase 2, which is wonderful, because art should prompt conversation, thought and emotion. In addition to the beautiful works from local artists (selected by an art jury and then hung at the direction of our interior designer), we are fortunate to have some gorgeous prints in other hallways and office space. These works were selected by Heather Fullington, the project's interior designer. What's really interesting is that these pieces came from a company called American Art Resources. The company works exclusively with hospital and other healthcare organizations to - as their vision statement says - "improve the lives of patients, their families and care givers through healthcare art programs that are deisgned to be far more than decoration."

Long Term Care

As renovation of the East Wing progresses, you'll notice some chagnes to our Long Term Care Unit. Our crack maintentance team has relocated the nurses' station to the solarium (it will move back after work is complete), and a temporary wall has been set up creating a very short corridor that leads you into the unit. Signs have been posted to direct visitors to the nurses' station and to Medical Records. However, as construction in all areas moves forward, please remember to take "lost" patients and visitors to their destinations, not just point the way.

Emergency Room

Work progresses on the Emergency Room project, as well. The walls of the new patient bays have been primed and painted. More construction will be coming as we get closer to the ER renovation.

Finishing Touches

Phase 2 looks incredible! Today, a crew completed hanging the artwork in the new addition, which has really pulled an already stunning space together. The furniture has all been unloaded, unwrapped and placed. All that's left is going over the punch list with the architect, cleaning, and obtaining the final occupancy OK from the state.

Speaking of artwork, we are lucky enough to live in an area with a thriving art community. CMH tapped into that community and used some pieces from local artists in the more public areas of the hospital (lobby, cafeteria, main hallways, etc). The pieces were a beautiful and eclectic mix, and really added a local flair to the addition. We are so lucky these artists were willing to share their work with us and our patients.

Glad you stopped by!

Our new lobby!

Welcome to Crawford Memorial's construction blog! This is your source for the latest information on the many construction projects in progress at CMH.

We really want to know what you think but, unfortunately, we can't accept comments on the blog at this time. Please email your feedback to rebecca.ruppel@crawfordmh.org. When we can, we'll answer your questions and address your comments right here. Let us know how we're doing!

Phase 2
Hard to believe work on this expansion is nearly finished. In fact, furniture is arriving and being installed this week! We expect to notify the Illinois Department of Public Health in about three weeks and ask for an occupancy permit (as a general rule, they will have 30 days to make the site visit and then another 30 days to issue the permit, if approved. Of course, those time frames aren't guaranteed).

Emergency Room
Even as we finish up our project on phase 2, our hard-working maintenance crew is already beginning the preliminary work on phase 3! During the project's next phase, the emergency room and lab will be expanded and renovated. Before construction can begin, we have to move the ER out of its current location and into its temporary home in the formal special care unit. The maintenance crew is building in what used to be the locker area near the employee entrance. After that's complete, they'll build an admission area. The ER will move into its temporary home late this spring or early this summer.

Where will the employee entrance be while the ER is there? Our team is still working out the details, but right now it looks like the entrance will be moved to the side door between the existing ER and Materials Management. The time clocks will be moved there and a sidewalk will be built along the east side of HealthWorks.

Long Term Care
In the meantime, work is still moving forward on the Long Term Care renovation (we're making improvements there to meet Medicare guidelines that will ultimately allow us to accept Medicare patients. Work on the west wing is complete, so now the east wing is being completely gutted. That wing was part of the original hospital (which as we all know is almost 50 years old). After the demolition is finished, new patient rooms will be built and the new nurses' station will be completely refurbished. A temporary nurses' station will be set up in the solarium.

Operating Room
Last but not least, we are developing plans to give our operating room a facelift very soon as well. Our architects (the same ones who designed the other construction projects underway) have developed a floor plan, and we're waiting for the state's approval. Once the state OKs the plans, we can obtain cost estimates and present the plans to the board for their review and approval. The goal is to have three fully functional OR suites, which will allow for more surgeries and more efficient use of the space which is better for our doctors and our patients.

On the Horizon
To provide space for an additional provider and support the growth of the Oblong clinic, we are developing plans to double the size of the clinic. This would consist of the leasing and build out of the entire building that now houses the clinic. No date has been set yet, but we are working on a new lease and our architect has created a new floor plan.

We are also developing plans with the architects to renovate Suite 200, where our internists practice, to improve workflow and efficiency.