Adventist Health owns the two hospitals in Hanford and right now administrators say they're constantly dealing with overcrowding unable to meet patient's needs the way they'd like. Now this new 200,000 sq foot facility hopes to change all that.
In a blessing and dedication ceremony Friday afternoon, Adventist Health Central Valley Network President Richard Rawsen talked with pride about how the new Adventist Medical Center will better serve the Kings County Community. "The thing that's most exciting is that this hospital has 100-percent private rooms. This really provides a degree of privacy and quiet."
Rawsen says the fact that patients will never have to share a room is the most significant upgrade people will notice. The three story $121-million facility will be filled 95-percent with new equipment. Everything from the whiteboards, computers, beds and 32 inch flat screen TVs are brand new and utilize the latest technology.
"We're putting in an interactive TV program so not only can our patients watch TV but we can interact with them," said Patient Care Services Vice President Kristen Johnson.
"The care can be much more individualized," said Rawson.
The new hospital has more than 140 beds, compared to 90 in the two other hospitals combined. And it is expected to bring more than 200 new jobs and more business opportunities to the area.
"Those communities that have the infrastructure are really in the best position to attract new businesses," said John Lehn with the Kings County Economic Development Corp.
Adventist Medical Center also features new technology, including the first 64-slice CT scanner in Kings County. The machine can look at thin sections of a person's body.
"Something x-ray may not pick up because it is so tiny it can slice the layers very thin," said Johnson.
Johnson says this will help doctors better diagnose patients, especially when it comes to breast and other cancers.
There is an open house on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the community. The hospital is set to open on December 5th.
