Hospital moves forward on ER project
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Plans for the construction of a new emergency room (ER) and renovations to support departments at Jenkins County Hospital (JCH) moved a step closer to becoming a reality last week.

Kathy Ross, area specialist for USDA Rural Development, presented a Letter of Intent for the project to members of the Jenkins County Hospital Authority during a called meeting of the group Monday, March 12.

Ross explained that while the agency had been able to ascertain funding for the project, final approval would not come until a later date.

"This is just the next step in the process," she commented.

Members of the hospital authority voted to approve a loan resolution authorizing the chairman to execute appropriate documents to move the project forward.

The loan amount to JCH for the project is not to exceed $2,936,000 and will be repayable over a period not to exceed 30 years from the date of the loan closing. Provisions of the loan require that the hospital authority and the Jenkins County Board of Commissioners enter into a written agreement specifying the amount of annual contribution the county is willing to pay to the hospital authority to support the operation of the facility.

Jenkins County Commission Chairman James Henry was present at the meeting and indicated that he would bring the matter before the full board of commissioners for consideration.

The loan, once final approval is received, will be used to build a new ER as well as renovate the Laboratory, X-ray and Medical Records departments at the hospital. The new facility will consists of approximately 5,400 square feet and will be constructed on the east end of the present building, utilizing much of the side parking lot. It will feature two trauma rooms, five exam rooms, a waiting room and separate entrances for walk-in patients and Emergency Medical Services ambulances.

The need for a new ER has been attributed to the need to update equipment and increased use of the department. ER visits at the facility numbered 5,200 in 2005 and were expected to number 5,400 in 2006. Outpatient visits, which are handled through the ER, were projected at 11,905 for 2006, an increase over 10,420 in 2005.

JCH has not undergone any major renovations since opening its doors in 1975.