East Addition
The first floor Medical Imaging Unit is completely relocated and fully functional.

The second floor Yavapai Medical/Surgical Unit has been completed. Furniture and equipment arrival and placement is ongoing. New Hill-Rom beds will be the final installation prior to the transfer of patients, which is scheduled for Oct. 16.

Final preparation of the unit is a team effort involving Nursing, Information Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Plant Operations, Environmental Services, Materials Management and Pharmacy. Once everything is in place, final operational and safety checks will be performed. Clinical and support staff and physicians will receive orientation and training on all new equipment. Orientation for staff members to the new unit is very important – getting to know the “footprint” and new traffic pattern of the unit, where items are located, walk-throughs by the teams responsible for setting up the units, and final readiness checklists will be completed prior to patient moves to the new unit.

Throughout the process, team members have collaborated to coordinate the moving of patients from the current unit to the new. This includes talking to patients and families, ensuring safety and minimal interruption to care. Guidelines have been developed which include protocols to follow in the event of an emergency, such as a patient code during a move. Prior to the actual move, staff members will assist in readying the unit with supplies and equipment and will participate in mock patient transport and codes. Patients and their family members will be notified the night before the move as to the patient’s new room and telephone number, what to expect, and approximate time of move.

Contractor bids for the fourth floor future OB Unit are being reviewed with the selection process to be completed sometime in October. Initial construction is scheduled to commence in late October with turnover to VVMC in July 2009. It then will take approximately one month to receive state approval and prepare the unit for patient occupancy.

North Addition
The first floor Telemetry Unit punch list is near completion. Owner (VVMC) low-voltage cabling is taking place for the patient monitoring system. Installation of wall-mounted items such as sharps containers and televisions is in progress. Anticipated patient move-in date is scheduled for Nov 5.

Internal
First floor:  With the building phase of the expansion project at completion and VVMC occupying the new additions, the internal remodel phase is in full swing. Demolition began in the old Medical Imaging area Sept. 8, just days after being evacuated. The entire area has been emptied, and the new walls are going up. The old MRI equipment was removed Sept. 9 and will be refurbished and sold to a new buyer. The building that housed the old MRI was demolished Sept. 25 to make room for the new Emergency department walk-in entry way and canopy. Activities around the entries to the ED have required continuous relocation of the point of entry. Each time, assistance has been made available to patients, including valet parking. There are three remaining internal phases for completion of the ED remodel and expansion. Great care is being taken so the ED can maintain a high level of patient safety while providing quality services during this time. Relocation of the current walk-in entry and waiting area soon will be completed.

Second floor:  Demolition in the former Outpatient Lab and X-ray area has started which required some Cardiology services, such as Respiratory Care, to relocate.

Landscaping
You probably have noticed outside landscaping being done around the new east addition and in the two new courtyards near the north addition. The plan is to recreate a similar healing environment to that of the current Tranquility Garden. Completion date is scheduled for Oct.10.