Projects total approximately $1.4 million
TYRONE – Tyrone Hospital is in the midst of several facility improvement projects.
Projects include a new roof, replacement of main water lines, installation of a new hot water system, upgrade to a direct digital control (DDC) system for the hospital’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), construction of a new breast imaging suite and the addition of new digital mammography technology. Upgrades to the hospital’s main access road are also planned.
The cost for these various improvements projects will be approximately $1.4 million with the funding coming through various sources.
Stephen Gildea, chief executive officer at Tyrone Hospital, said it was time to upgrade the facility to make it more energy efficient and to make the environment more comfortable for patients, staff and visitors. “Items being replaced have gone beyond their useful life,” he said.
“All of the facility upgrades will make the hospital more energy efficient and “greener”, said Tim Davis, director of facilities and engineering at Tyrone Hospital. Davis is responsible for overseeing all of the current and upcoming facility improvement projects.
Installation of the new roof is currently under way with portions already completed. Additional work will be finished before winter and the project will be entirely completed in spring 2014. The $295,000 roof project is being funded through a low interest USDA loan.
Several of the hospital’s main water lines are currently being replaced. The $45,000 project includes removal of the original asbestos pipe insulation and replacing it with new fiberglass insulation and fittings. Work to the water lines is being done during the night shift hours to minimize the impact on patients and staff members.
The hospital’s hot water system, including new hot water circulation pumps, is being replaced with two high-efficiency, quick recovery water heaters. The project will cost $79,000 and is being funded as part of the USDA low interest loan.
State-of-the art DDC Controls for the hospital’s HVAC systems are scheduled for installation in January of 2014. The new computerized controls will give the Engineering department the ability to pre-determine and troubleshoot system issues, and subsequently correct any problems in a timelier manner.
Davis said control of these systems is important for the comfort of patients and others in the facility. “It also optimizes our control over particular environments within the hospital, such as the operating room, where there are very specific standards for temperature and humidity that must be met,” he said.
A new breast imaging suite has also been constructed in the hospital’s radiology department. The suite will house new digital mammography technology along with a private dressing room, breast ultrasound room and diagnostic area. The suite will be unveiled and guided tours offered to the public during the Tyrone Hospital Foundation’s upcoming Tree of Light ceremony to be held in the hospital’s main lobby December 3rd at 6 pm. Cost of the construction project is $294,000.
New digital mammography technology will be available to patients beginning Nov. 13. The technology was funded in part from donations made by various groups, businesses and individuals to the Tyrone Hospital Foundation.
Twenty-five new Hill-Rom patient beds, at a total cost of $63,000 were also purchased, installed and are now in use throughout the hospital.
Targeted for 2014 are mill and overlay improvements to the hospital’s main access road. Tyrone Hospital has worked with Snyder Township to secure a $423,314 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for this project. Snyder Township and Tyrone Hospital will potentially contribute an additional $52,000 and $77,500 respectively to complete the funding.
“More than 30, 000 people travel onto our campus each year, said Davis, “Improvements to Hospital Drive will ensure our access road is equipped to handle current and future traffic activity that is expected as our campus continues to develop and grow.”