Published: June 27, 2015
By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI
An exchange of ideas has led to the development of ideas for
what could be a new hospital in Knox.
A committee of about 12 individuals, consisting of staff from
IU Health Starke and their architects, has been putting their thoughts to paper
for a future hospital. The committee presented their ideas on Friday to
gathered staff.
Director of Patient Care Services Janet Gillon says the
development of a major undertaking is a long process.
“You have to believe that by going through these steps, the
outcome will be better than if you had just jumped to the solution,” says
Gillon.
Although Starke County owns the current hospital site, it
was mentioned several times during the presentation an upgrade in facilities
could lead to better employee satisfaction. That could lead to better community
care.
Finding efficiency in the operations and layout of a new
hospital building was considered key. By optimizing floor space, the healthcare
group could potentially save on additional costs that accompany the square
footage.
Director of Emergency Management Josephine Klicek says some
of that efficiency has to do with the proximity of certain care divisions with
others.
“As we built things, we tried to look at: yes, it has to be
efficient for the patient, it has to be efficient for the colleagues, it has to
be efficient for the providers,” says Klicek. “Those were our watchwords all
week long. It’s about efficiency, about steps, and about time.”
Architects will be working with the committee’s ideas for
the next several months.
Though the estimate is not set in stone, building and site
costs could run IU Health around $13-million.
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