When Lissette and I moved to Hawaii Island in 2001 the population was 150,000+. The island’s population has grown to 200,000+ with the greatest percentage growth on the west side of the island. The North Hawaii Community Hospital services the northwest side of the Island admirably despite it’s remote but beautiful location in Waimea. I’ve had the fortunate experience several times of visiting the emergency room because of accidents and illnesses and give thanks for the kind and professional assistance I was always shown by it’s team of doctors and health professionals.

The last visit illustrated their need to expand the emergency room facility as my entire treatment of a large cut to my foot from the reef was performed entirely on a gurney in one of the emergency room hallways as all the exam rooms were full. In my case it was no big deal but I did observe several patients being shuffled between the hallway and private exam rooms as the night progressed to accommodate all patients. The hospital is looking ahead knowing emergency rooms are being facilitated not only for emergency care patients but for those patients that remain uninsured with no other options.

NHCH must expand to accommodate the growing community and its needs. If you are a property owner or frequent visitor to the Big Island, please consider a gift to support the hospital as you never know when it’s doctors, staff and facilities will be needed by you and your family. Please follow the links below for more information and see the flyer link for a recent presentation from the hospital to the community.

• North Hawaii Community Hospital-Emergency Room Renovation-Web Page
• Make a Gift

From their website:

Emergency Room Renovation and Expansion Project

North Hawai‘i Community Hospital’s (NHCH) Emergency Room (ER) is a critical and fundamental medical service in the delivery of emergency care in the North Hawai‘i region, with an essential linkage and continuity in the delivery of Emergency and Trauma Services at The Queen’s Medical Center (QMC) in Honolulu.

To address the increasing number of emergency visits at NHCH, the hospital has begun planning for the renovation and expansion of its existing ER.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The renovation and expansion of the existing 3,300 square-foot ER wing at NHCH. The new ER will house 13 multi-use rooms (11 standard and 2 trauma), a centralized nurses work station, new ambulance and patient/family entry points, a new waiting room, and other support spaces for emergency service.

This project will also provide increased space and efficiencies in emergency care provided by the physicians, nurses, and staff, allowing them to deliver care in a family- and patient-centered care environment.

SCOPE OF WORK

In fiscal year 2017, there were 14,338 ER visits. As of October 2017 (July 2017 – October 2017), there were 4,825 ER visits.

The planned scope of work includes expansion of the ER to address future growth to the year 2025 (17,356 estimated annual visits in the year 2025).

Written by Rick Oliver on March 28, 2018
Posted in: Hawaii Life | Tags: NHCH