The Future Has Arrived.... New Facility Is Open
August 22nd through August 26th, Kingfisher Regional Hospital, located at 1000 Kingfisher Regional Hospital Drive, was host to over 1,000 community patrons. Almost two years after breaking ground on a cold December morning, Kingfisher Regional Hospital officially opened its doors for business, September 1st, 2009.
Kingfisher Medical Foundation hosted a “Toast of the Town” preview gala on the 22nd with over 200 foundation members and invited guests attending. They were given a preview tour of the state of the art facility over a champagne reception.
Kingfisher Regional Hospital then held their “A Dream Realized” ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, August 26th and held a “Community Open House” later that afternoon. The ceremony was conducted in the front entrance of the hospital. An official blessing was performed before the ribbon was snipped by Board President Gerald Knecht, while state dignitaries, local officials, and KRH Board Members watched. Tours of the facility were conducted for all to preview before the official opening.
The new state of the art facility is still designated as critical access hospital (25 beds), and the technology throughout is phenomenal. Some of the technological advances include a completely digital imaging department, including an in-house MRI and a 16-slice CT scanner that gives technicians a 360 degree view of the head and upper torso in less than one minute. The hospital also has digital x-ray machines where the images can instantly send to the hospitals computer database/ computer screen or printed to film.
Digital images are also accessed on screens in both of the operating rooms. Did I say both? Yes. There are now two operating rooms, one of which is 700 square feet and the other is 600 square feet. Both rooms feature all new tables and equipment making them especially suited for knee replacements and arthroscopic procedures.
Adjacent to the surgical suite is another secured area for the labor and delivery suite. The suite includes two large labor and delivery rooms which allows the patient and baby to recover in the room. The newborn nursery is further protected by 24-hour video surveillance, but you may still view the newborns through nursery window in the public hallway.
If you happen to have an emergency, there are five private rooms for the emergency team to evaluate and treat you. No longer will you be sharing the room with another individual. In the event of you are admitted into the hospital and transferred from our emergency department to the in-patient wing; you will see the new technology in there as well.
Each patient room is equipped with new beds that feature gel-filled mattresses and can assist a patient that weighs up to 500 pounds and can lift a patient to a near-standing position. The room also features silent call systems and flat screened televisions while recuperating in an interior designer room in hues of green or blue.
Just seven days after the community open house, Tuesday, September 1st, all patients from the former site were transported to the new site by ambulance assisted by Kingfisher, Cashion and Life EMS. The “move” team began at 8 AM, moving 3 patients at a time until all patients were moved. This process was completed in less than two hours. At 12 Noon, officially the 500 South Street location closed its doors. The original hospital was built in 1950 and during its 59 years expanded 4 times.
Damon Benson, KRH CEO, “credits the community for making the new hospital possible, first by supporting the extension of a dedicated sales tax and then by choosing to seek quality healthcare by keeping it at home.” He is also very grateful for the KRH team members who have diligently worked in an effortless, tireless and efficient capacity over the last two years. “ I am so proud to work with this team of professionals.” |
Kingfisher Regional Hospital | 1000 Kingfisher Regional Hospital Drive – P.O. Box 59 | Kingfisher, OK 73750 | (405) 375-3141
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