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Construction project begins at Fairchild Medical Group

  • Published
  • By Matt Clugston
  • 92nd Medical Group Regional health facilities officer
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The 92nd Medical Group is beginning a renovation project that will improve the appearance and function of the facility.

Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and Col. Barbara Jefts, 92nd Medical Group commander, helped to kick off Phase I of the renovation project Jan. 5 by enthusiastically crashing sledge hammers through walls of the new pharmacy area.

The $6.8 million renovation project was awarded to a Kansas City corporation. The project will renovate more than 20,000 square feet of clinical space while the 92nd MDG continues its day-to-day healthcare delivery. The group's mission is to provide customers with a facility that meets the needs of today's primary care system and reflects the high quality of health care you expect from the 92nd Medical Group.

Built in 1956, the current structure has remained relatively unchanged with the exception of some infrastructure upgrades throughout the years.

In 2001, the hospital was re-designated as a Primary Care Clinic and the in-patient and specialty clinic missions went to the local healthcare system. This change, along with some clinical realignments, require alteration to the existing spaces to optimize the delivery of healthcare.

We will provide patients with a completely new pediatrics clinic, immunizations clinic and pharmacy. The pharmacy, which will change locations in mid-July, will remain near the main entrance, but will have a much larger service area and a dedicated waiting area.

On the second floor, the surgical suites will undergo a complete demolition and rebuild for the Life Skills, Family Advocacy and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment programs. All of the new spaces have been designed to provide greater patient privacy.

In addition, the lab draw area, main lobby, waiting rooms and hallways will receive a complete facelift to provide a soothing, relaxed atmosphere complete with new finishes, rich colors, and lighting treatments similar to those found in high-quality civilian health care facilities.

In an effort to minimize inconvenience, the initial stages of demolition have started in areas that currently do not provide direct patient care. Patients can expect to see an increase in construction activities in March, and various stages of construction will continue through October.

Follow-on phases are planned for fiscal year 2007, contingent on funding, to continue the renovation of additional spaces throughout the facility.

By October 2007, the 92nd Medical Group hopes to provide customers with a finished facility worthy of patronage and one that rivals the quality of any civilian facility.

Meanwhile, the clinic asks that you "Pardon our Progress" during construction. The clinic realizes the hallway obstructions and temporary clinic relocations can be confusing and inconvenient.

However, they pledge to provide the adequate spaces, way finding and staff to get patients to their appointments and keep visits as pleasant as possible.