North Mason Chamber of Commerce :: Mason General Hospital Announces $33 Million Expansion and Remodel

Shelton, WA - Attendees at the Fantasy Forest Gala and Auction, Mason General Hospital's annual fundraising event, got a special surprise when the hospital announced plans to construct a new surgical wing, expand and modernize its emergency department and improve patient rooms and public areas. The project, which will begin construction in late 2010 or early 2011, will cost $33 million and will be financed from operating revenues.

"This is wonderful news for our community and for the hospital," Nancy Trucksess, President of the hospital district Board of Commissioners said. "Several consecutive years of strong financial performance and an extremely favorable climate for construction give us an extraordinary opportunity to make high priority improvements."

In making the announcement to a crowd of approximately 250, CEO Bob Appel cited major changes in care delivery, dramatic growth in emergency room visits and the need to accommodate new medical technology and a favorable construction climate as the primary drivers of the decision to move forward with the project.

"We are proud of the contribution Mason General Hospital makes to the health of our community," Appel said. "These improvements will give us the flexibility to respond to future changes in health care delivery and assure our continued ability to provide high quality services. The improvements will strengthen the hospital financially and help attract physicians to the community."

The new surgical wing will replace three existing operating rooms with operating suites that will accommodate new technologies and provide improved recovery and waiting areas. Two of the three current operating rooms date from the hospital's original construction and the third from a 1992 remodel.

The majority of surgery at Mason General is done on an outpatient basis. Modern technology that allows many surgeries to be done on a same day basis requires a different configuration of operating rooms and support areas than were required when the current rooms were built.
Emergency department visits have increased nearly 36% since 2000. The newly expanded and modernized emergency department will increase the number of treatment rooms and provide waiting and consultation areas that promote privacy and separation of patients waiting to be seen.

Funds for the construction will be provided by hospital revenue and a bond issue will not be required.

The hospital will explore state, federal and other grants that could allow additional scope to the announced project.

Scherer and Associates has been selected to design the new and remodeled areas and to prepare the bid documents. Late 2010 has been targeted for bids with the expectation that current depressed construction costs will continue through the year and result in a 20% to 30% savings over costs of similar projects in recent years.

A new surgical wing, expansion of the emergency department and improvement of patient rooms and public areas are top priorities in Mason General's Facility Master Plan that was first developed in 2007.

"We know that our community is experiencing tough economic times and this is not a time to ask taxpayers to help with hospital improvements," Nancy Trucksess, President said. "The good news is that a $33 million construction project will bring jobs and increased economic activity into our community. The permit fees and taxes that will be required for this project will help our local governments with their fiscal difficulties, without requiring voters to finance a bond issue. This is a win-win for the community."

CEO Appel cited the designation of Mason General as a Critical Access Hospital in 2005 as the most significant contributor to the hospital's current strong operating revenue. This designation means the hospital receives better Medicare reimbursement for patient services because of the population it serves. This means that more federal money comes back to our community.

The hospital will shortly announce a new link on the web page to provide more information and to keep the community informed as we move forward with the project.