Emergency Renovation; WCH Takes Next Step Toward Addition

Wetzel County Hospital is taking the next step in updating and expanding its emergency and trauma department.

The facility will be accepting bids from qualified contractors for the expansion and renovation of its Emergency and Trauma Department. The work is a 15-month, multi-phased project.

Construction will include a new main hospital entrance canopy and renovations to the existing outpatient entrance canopy.

The bid proposals are for a single contract including general construction work, mechanical construction work, and electrical construction work.

According to Marge Knight, R.N., Chief Nurse for Emergency and Outpatient Services, the project will expand the existing emergency department from six to 12 patient rooms, add a large waiting area, provides a security office, and expand general storage, staff, and work areas. Specialty rooms will be provided for trauma, triage cardiac, orthopedics, gynecology, isolation, psychological observation, and bereavement. New ambulance bays will be constructed and an area for parking and connection of mobile diagnostic trailers will be provided.

This will be the first major refurbishing of the facility since 1979, when the new hospital opened its doors. For 28 years, Wetzel County Hospital has been working with the same emergency room facility, but with increased patient loads and more challenging cases such as increased incidents of drug abuses and overdoses; all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents; chemical exposures; mining disasters; and other industrial accidents, the facility is in need of upgrades.

“The top priority for the Wetzel County Hospital Board of Trustees, management, and medical staff has been the renovation and expansion of our Emergency Department. With the funds Wetzel County Hospital has set aside for this project and a $824,000 Federal Grant appropriation with the assistance of Senator Byrd, 2009 should finally be the year when this vitally needed project becomes a reality,” said George Couch, Wetzel County Hospital CEO,

“With our advanced skills and the quality of our Emergency Department physicians and staff we will be able to purchase and utilize the most modern and advanced equipment and technology, which will in turn enhance the quality of care to the citizens served by Wetzel County Hospital,” added Knight.

Couch stated that a mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at the hospital today at 10 a.m. and that bids must be received by Wetzel County Hospital prior to 1 p.m. on Nov. 12. If a bid is awarded, the selected contractor is expected to start work on Dec. 1, 2009, with work completed by March 1, 2010.

Wetzel County Hospital in New Martinsville is a licensed and accredited, 68-bed facility, offering comprehensive acute care inpatient, outpatient services, emergency department, and transitional care unit.