LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. –Herkimer County’s only hospital has launched a capital campaign to raise $1.8 million toward a $12.5-million project to renovate and expand outpatient services. Little Falls Hospital’s “Healthy Hospital, Healthy Community Campaign,” which has raised over $1 million, is already more than half way to its goal in support of a project that will enhance outpatient and ambulatory care and result in a better patient experience.
The hospital serves an estimated population of 54,000 people living in Herkimer County and parts of Fulton and Montgomery counties. “We have witnessed a double digit increase in the demand for outpatient services,” notes hospital CEO Michael Ogden, “so the expansion and renovation that’s underway is desperately needed, and we very much appreciate the support we’ve seen already of our capital campaign. It’s recognition of the fact that an investment in this hospital is an investment in the community’s health”.
The $12.5-million project will expand and improve Little Falls Hospital’s surgical suite as well as radiology, cardiology and rehabilitation services. Specifically, the following changes will occur over the next two years:
- The hospital’s 50-year-old surgical suite will be transformed into a modern facility and consolidated into one location with recovery and support services. Physical and occupational therapy services will be consolidated and modernized into a more efficient space that will include private treatment rooms for a much better patient experience.
- Cardiology services will expand and serve as a diagnostic center for the Bassett Heart Care Institute, offering cardiology diagnostic testing and cardiology consults.
- Radiology services will be consolidated into one location in the hospital to improve patient access, with an expanded area for women’s services.
- Finally, the project will also replace an obsolete emergency backup system to meet today’s emergency preparedness standards, and a dedicated emergency entrance will be constructed for ambulances transporting patients to the emergency department – improving time to treatment.
Since 2006, when LFH became an affiliate of the Bassett Healthcare Network, nearly $10 million has been invested in improving the emergency department, establishing a dialysis center operated by Bassett and making renovations to the inpatient unit. “The more than $12 million being invested now to improve the hospital’s outpatient facilities will assure LFH meets the demands, needs and expectations of our patients,” Ogden says.
In addition to the capital campaign to raise $1.8 million, other funding in support of the outpatient and ambulatory care project will come from a state grant through the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers.
