Over the Top:
North Kansas City Hospital Plans Major Expansion
During these times of cutbacks, mergers, restructuring, dissolutions, and on and on, a multi-million dollar development plan is good news. It's actually great news for North Kansas City Hospital, the hospital which plans to expand on top of its roof, the city in which it thrives, and for the entire metropolitan area.
"There's nothing hypothetical about the need," says David Carpenter, president and CEO of the hospital. "The combination of the rapidly growing populace of the Northland and demographic trends of baby boomers entering their 'procedural years' and their parents living so much longer has created huge growth needs." This is clearly seen as, "We've experienced patient growth of 10 percent each year for the last three years--and the unprecedented demand continues this year. Forecasts only increase the gap." He adds, though, that this is what is called "profitless growth," a concept that others outside the industry don't always understand but which occurs in health-care due to the phenomenally high costs associated with in-patient care.
"This is truly a mission based decision," he continues. "We add the beds because they're necessary, but we lose money on them, like all hospitals. The technological changes are so remarkable, they've improved the quality of life so much, but their associated costs are also extraordinary."
The estimated $135 million, five-year expansion project will add approximately 250,000 square feet to the existing campus. When completed, the expansion will generate approximately 800 new jobs--a bonanza for the area. Despite shortages of trained people, Carpenter is confident NKC Hospital can attract them--"We are doing all we can to become the hospital of employee choice in Kansas City" since he is convinced that will lead to improved satisfaction by patients. Employee surveys have directed that path which has included compensation policy changes, improved patient-nurse ratios, expectations training, respect and trust classes. That takes him to his next goal: to have the highest patient satisfaction rating in the country. "We've started with our employees and we know these are long term efforts," he says. "We are definitely trying to create a triple threat--great employees, satisfied patients, and physicians who want to work here. We are making great headway." Currently the staff includes more than 600 physicians representing 46 medical specialties.
The majority of the construction efforts will focus on the Health Services Pavilion, built by North Kansas City Hospital in 2000. The project is fairly complex--unable to expand outward on their beautiful campus, the six new floors will be built on top of the existing six floored pavilion, with no disruption to current services. The new seventh floor will open last. The stories will house expanded inpatient and outpatient services and more physician offices. Capacity will be increased by 130 new beds. Five to seven new surgical suites will be constructed in both the main hospital's operating rooms and the Health Services Pavilion with expanded pre-surgery and recovery areas in both areas, too. Expansions in service such as the GI Lab, pain management, radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy and others will occur as well as expansions in Food and Nutrition Services, Environmental Services, Plant Operations, Medical Records and more. A walkway connecting the main hospital building to the Health Services Pavilion also will be constructed, and more than 1,300 new parking spaces will be added for employees, patients and visitors. The hospital has already added 700 new employees in the last five years, and with 800 more, even the cafeteria and bathrooms must be expanded.
"This is a conservative approach to our growth needs," says Carpenter. "We nearly could use the beds and all the outpatient services right now. In five years, if all goes as planned, we may need to take yet another look."