Aspirus sets in motion new emergency department for Ontonagon Hospital

By JAN TUCKER

[email protected]

Ontonagon - The Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Board of Directors and Aspirus Inc. approved construction of an 8,210-square-foot expansion and renovation project of the hospital's emergency department.

Engineering and design plans are in the process of being finalized. Project completion is set for March of 2017, according to a press release.

The project will include addition of a new canopy entrance to the existing facility, new private emergency care rooms, new physician and nurse work stations, and expanded triage, patient reception and waiting areas.

Renovations and upgrades will be made to existing patient rooms.

A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for May. The hospital's emergency department and inpatient unit will remain fully operational for the duration of the project, with no interruptions to patient care.

"As we approached the design of this project, one thing has remained constant: 100 percent of the project is focused on patient comfort, safety, quality of care and efficiency," said Pam Karttunen, Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Marketing Coordinator. "With our great team of providers and staff in place, the county of Ontonagon has been experiencing excellent emergency care for many years. Now, with this new addition and renovation, patients, families and staff will experience an even higher level of care."

Aspirus Upper Peninsula Regional Chief Executive Officer Chuck Nelson said the new addition and renovation in Ontonagon is a clear example of the ways Aspirus responds to needs of communities across the U.P.

"With a new emergency department in Laurium, a brand new clinic in Houghton and a new clinic currently under construction in Ironwood, Aspirus continues to demonstrate its commitment to the Upper Peninsula. This project in Ontonagon further expands on that commitment," Nelson said. "Today, we are responding to what the community says we need to do - to support our great doctors and staff with a better place to take care of you - and do it with the right plan and approach."

The general contractor for the project is Miron Construction Co. Inc. and the architect is HDR Architecture Inc.

Plans for the project include: A new walk-in patient entrance vestibule and canopied drop-off; new ambulance canopy and patient entrance; renovated and expanded family waiting, reception and triage; new exam-treatment rooms, and new patient restrooms. Extensive renovations will be done to existing hospital inpatient rooms.

Aspirus Ontonagon Board Secretary-Treasurer J.R. Richardson said Aspirus is integral to Ontonagon County and the region, adding, "Aspirus has been a strong community partner for a number of years, coming to us during one of our more economically stressed times. This capital investment in Ontonagon is just another block in the sound foundation Aspirus is building in our community, the U.P. and northern Wisconsin."

For more information, visit aspirus.org.