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Langlade Hospital

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Questions and Answers

Why do we need to build a new hospital?

A replacement hospital is being considered to assure the continuing long term success of Langlade Hospital.  The new hospital will be designed with the health care delivery model of the future in mind.

There are a number of issues and concerns with the current facility such as:

 

Ø      The original Hoover era building does not function well for how care is provided today and will be delivered in the future.    Background:  Built during the Hoover Administration and Great Depression, the original Langlade Hospital was designed and built to accommodate nearly 100 patients whose care required lengthy overnight stays of several days or more.  Most care delivery in the Hospital today is provided on an outpatient basis and, if an inpatient stay is required, it is usually for less than four days. Today, over 80% of patient care is provided on an outpatient basis and this trend will continue. 

Ø      Most Langlade Hospital patients are elderly and find it very difficult to navigate the complex maze of corridors and departments.  Background:  Our current facility is difficult for our patients and families to locate and find their way around due to additions that occurred over the years.  As our population ages, accessibility will only become more problematic.

Ø      A new facility will be designed with an emphasis on patient privacy, comfort and confidentiality. 

Ø      The exterior of the building is deteriorating and will require and has been costly to maintain and repair.  Background: The brick is deteriorating on the outside of the original building and most windows need to be replaced throughout the building.  The out of date building causes very high energy use resulting in high costs and is not environmentally friendly.

Ø       The water heater, boilers and sanitary waste systems are beyond their life expectancy. 

Background:  These systems require repair that will:

ü    Disrupt and inconvenience our patients

ü    Do not meet modern standards for patient care

ü    Replacement parts are no longer available and are no longer cost effective to repair.

Ø      We have reached capacity limitations for AHU (air handling units)   Background:  The air handling units provide air exchanges in the building as well as air conditioning. 

Ø      We have reached capacity limitations for our electrical system.

Ø      Fire, smoke and damper systems require upgrades.

What will a new hospital accomplish?

Those issues listed above are some of the reasons why our current hospital building should be replaced.  There are many reasons why a new Langlade Hospital will not only eliminate concerns about the building but will offer important strategic advantages that will strengthen Langlade Hospital’s Mission.  A new hospital will:

Ø      Enhance patient safety, privacy and comfort.  Background: The new facility will be designed with the needs of the patient first and foremost.  Features of the new building will provide a safer environment for patients and will improve the quality of care as well as patient privacy and comfort. 

Ø      Enhance Physician and staff recruitment and retention.  Background: This is certainly one of the greatest challenges we will face in the future as the current physician and certain staff shortages continue to grow nationally and especially in rural communities.  The new facility will improve our efforts to recruit and retain physicians, providers and staff.    A modern hospital presents a more desirable work environment. 

Ø      A new Langlade Hospital will cost less to operate.  Background: The new building will be a “green” environmentally friendly building that will utilize less of our precious resources and will offer a more efficient work environment. 

Ø      Provide momentum for future community/industrial development efforts.   Background: City of Antigo officials are excited about the development of a new Langlade Hospital.  They see the Hospital, like the schools, as an important pillar of the community.  They also see a modern new Hospital as aiding their efforts to bring new industry and jobs to the community – growth that benefits everyone.

When will the new hospital be built?

This is a very tentative timeline that will depend on Board, RHSJ and Aspirus action, land acquisition and the climate of the credit market:  

Project/Budget Approvals – May/June 2010

Building Design – finish in late summer 2010

Break Ground – Fall 2010

Construction Ends – Spring 2012

Razing of old building – Summer 2012

Where will the new hospital be built?

The plan is to build the new hospital to the north of the current building.  The hospital is in the process of acquiring 4.5 acres of land from the City of Antigo. The land transaction is currently under review by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and we are awaiting their anticipated approval.

 

How much will it cost?

We are targeting a total cost not to exceed $45 million.

 

How will you pay for it?

The new Langlade Hospital will be primarily funded through capital borrowing.

 

Who is designing and building the new hospital?

Miron Construction is the company that has been chosen to build the new hospital.  They were chosen based on their experience building hospitals and their focus on creating the ideal patient experience. 

Eppstein-Uhen is the Architectural firm that will design our new hospital.  They have been nationally recognized for their work in health care and are committed to designing a facility that will incorporate the best features of modern design and minimize our building’s “carbon footprint” throughout its lifespan.

 

Will local contractors be used?

Yes, we will utilize local contractors and have discussed with the General Contractor to assure that local contractors will be able to bid and work on the project wherever possible.

 

What about the Cancer Center – we just donated money to build it?

The Cancer Center will remain exactly where it is and will not be impacted by the construction project.

 

What will happen to the skywalk?

There is no definitive answer at this point in the project as to what will happen with the skywalk.  It may be cost and structurally prohibitive to attempt to attach the skywalk to the new hospital. 

 

 

For more information please email us at: newhospital@langhosp.org