Jewish moving forward with in-patient beds

SHEPHERDSVILLE - While the first patients may not have access to in-hospital long-term care for another three or four years, there is still plenty of excitement for the staff of Jewish Hospital Medical Center South.

Brian Doheny, chief operating officer for Jewish Hospital Medical Center, said approval has been granted for the creation of 60 beds at the Bullitt County facility.

Currently, the facility is home to an emergency room, diagnostic testing, specialists and general medical offices.

But, by 2012, Doheny said patients would have the opportunity to remain at the local facility to receive all the normal medical services required.

“There’s a lot of excitement for the team members,” said Doheny. “This is exciting news for us.”

After a struggle going through state hurdles to receive approval to construct the emergency room and other services, Jewish Hospital Medical Center South has had record-setting demands for service over its first two years.

“We continue to be very busy,” said Doheny.

Not only has the facility seen an increase in emergency room visits but also the trend continues to rise for the other medical services, including out-patient surgery.

When the current facilities were constructed, Doheny said the medical offices were built to add three more floors to the single-story facility. On the emergency room and medical services portion, Doheny said there are various options to add to the footprint of the building.

Those driving by will not see a lot of activity surrounding the additional 60 beds for some time.

Doheny said the initial stage is to begin the design process and then select an architect to do blueprints.

Getting a project ready to bid for construction could take up to a year with actual construction another 18-month process. Doheny hopes construction could begin by next fall.

The final step would be to equip the facility.

The goal is to have the hospital beds ready by 2012.