BGH begins Emergency Department remodel

By Reader Staff

Bonner General Health began a projected three-month-long remodel of its Emergency Department on Oct. 12, requiring a temporary move of the department and patient entrance.

The remodel is funded primarily by a $200,000 grant awarded by the Sunderland Foundation earlier this year. BGH applied for the grant after the funds allotted for the project were no longer available due to a revenue loss during the COVID-19 shutdown of specific services. 

Hospital Director of Facilities Curtis Johnson will serve as the general contractor for the project, with his facilities team and various subcontractors completing the work.  

The entrance to the Emergency Department, located at 520 N. Third Ave., will be directly to the left of the existing entry. Patient vehicles will enter the same way — off of Alder Street, between Second  and Third avenues. Cars will be asked to yield to any incoming  ambulance vehicles. Parking will remain the same, with designated patient parking spots, as well as  street parking on Alder.  

The protocols for entering the Emergency Department will remain the same. A doorbell will be clearly marked for calling a triage nurse, who will meet patients at the door to assess their condition and symptoms. Visitor restrictions will continue to apply, allowing one visitor per patient.  

Remodeling of the department will include work stations for doctors and nurses, expansion of  the paramedic entryway, patient room improvements, updated windows, flooring, lighting and ceiling  tiles. 

Emergency Department Manager Marian Martin stated in a news release that the resulting remodel “will improve the patient flow, experience and protect our patients’ privacy.”

“We appreciate the support of our patients, their families and our health care partners during  this process,” she stated. 

For more information, visit bonnergeneral.org.