Construction has officially commenced on the long-awaited expansion of Pullman Regional Hospital (PRH), marking a significant milestone for the healthcare facility. This development follows the approval of an expansion plan by local constituents three years ago, facilitated by a bond measure passed in 2022. The ambitious project, which is budgeted at $41 million, aims to enhance patient care and accommodate the growing needs of the community.
Matt Forge, the hospital’s CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “It’s been a heck of a project. With these things, especially as big and as important as they are for our community, we wanted to make sure that we got it right.” The expansion is designed to improve access to healthcare services and ensure that PRH can meet future demands.
Details of the Expansion Project
The Patient Care Expansion Project will unfold in three phases over the next three years. It will remodel approximately 30,000 square feet of the hospital, which has seen a significant increase in demand since its establishment over two decades ago. The hospital currently operates with a 25-bed primary facility and has experienced a doubling of emergency visits compared to ten years ago, alongside rising numbers of surgeries and same-day services.
The expansion will focus on enhancing access in three key areas: emergency care, procedure space, and outpatient support. The construction plans include the addition of a fifth operating room and ten new emergency patient care rooms, effectively doubling the hospital’s capacity. A dedicated mental health space is also part of the design, addressing a critical need in the community.
With the inclusion of two CT scanners and a second endoscopy suite, patient wait times are expected to decrease significantly. The hospital’s registration process will also be streamlined, improving the overall experience for patients during check-in and discharge.
Funding and Community Support
The total cost of construction for the project is estimated at $24.8 million, with funding coming from a combination of the approved bond, philanthropy, and hospital funds. Forge noted that the hospital aims to raise $7 million through fundraising efforts, having already secured over $1 million to date.
PRH’s Director of External Relations, Alison Weigley, emphasized the importance of community support in realizing this expansion. Forge expressed gratitude for the backing received from local residents, stating, “The biggest thing is that we’re just so thankful for the community support. We just hope that as we get to the end of this, we can really make our community proud and really live up to their expectations.”
Bouten Construction Company and Design West Architects have been selected to carry out the project, which has been thoughtfully phased to ensure that the hospital remains fully operational throughout the construction period.
For further information on the Pullman Regional Hospital expansion project, visit pullmanregional.org/expansion.