Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Another project breaks ground!

It’s a long road from concept to construction. And our team is always excited to see when a project is introduced to its community. We’re happy to share the good news that the Observation Unit Wing for Logan Health in Whitefish, Montana, is now under construction.

This project is an example of changing healthcare needs when patients come through an emergency room; they are not critical enough to be admitted but require further observation. The Logan Health community hospital has been experiencing a significant increase in emergency room visits from the pandemic as well as population and tourism growth.

In fact, the hospital broke several records in 2021, including the most babies ever born in the Whitefish birth center – 610 newborns. They also had more than 8,000 emergency room visits, which made patient care challenging with eight private treatment rooms and two trauma rooms, according to an article in the Whitefish Pilot.

“This new six-room unit will allow us to keep these patients under skilled supervision without taking up beds needed for inpatients, or additional emergencies,” said Kevin Abel, President of Logan Health Whitefish.

Our design adds 5,750 square feet to the existing hospital, and these six beds are typically used for stays of less than 24 hours. This is an ideal solution when community hospitals do not have the capacity to admit patients who may need further care.

The observation rooms have a similar layout and feel as the rest of the patient rooms, including private bathrooms with showers, windows with a view, and items that create a comforting environment for patients and guests. The new wing also has its own nurses’ station, office space, family waiting area with beverages and light snacks, and storage space.

Construction is scheduled to complete in fall 2023.

It’s always rewarding to see our designs break ground, especially since they improve the human experience. We’re pleased to be part of Whitefish’s community.

For more information about the project, click here.