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Three Rivers Hospital is already following through on its promise to invest in the facility when voters approved a levy lid lift in August. The hospital celebrated the start of the new year with the arrival of 18 brand new patient beds, and more furniture will arrive within the next month.

According to Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Munson, the ability to replace all of the hospital’s outdated patient furniture has been a long time coming.

“This will be the first time in over 20 years that we have replaced furniture,” she said. “This is a very exciting purchase for us. To be able to replace beds that are over 40 years old with new, more comfortable beds that have the technological capabilities to help us deliver safe patient care is a huge step in a positive direction.

“This purchase was centered around the patient and really supports our mission of leading the innovation of safe and respectful patient care.”

The Board of Commissioners authorized Munson to sign a lease agreement with Stryker in November for of about $319,000. As part of the agreement Stryker waived the taxes and freight fees, a savings of nearly $20,000. In addition, Stryker provided free upgrades to iBed technology and deluxe mattresses that come with a 10-year warranty.

Stryker delivered the S3 medical/surgical beds on December 29; they immediately were placed in the acute care wing. Within the next few weeks the hospital is expecting the rest of the furniture: two maternity beds, 21 patient chairs, 21 over-bed tables, 21 bedside stands, one recliner bed, one treatment recliner, one loveseat sleeper, four newborn bassinettes, and three TruRize power chairs.

The new beds and TruRize chairs will lend to greater safety for patients as well as nurses. The chairs offer improved mobility for patients without placing physical strain on nurses, and the iBed technology includes anti-fall warning lights and sounds to help protect high risk patients.

As the new furniture is moved in, employees are working on giving patient rooms a makeover with fresh paint and new fire-retardant curtains.

Meanwhile, hospital administration continues to work toward the other goals outlined to voters: relocating the emergency department to a more appropriate space in the hospital that is currently used for clinical services; upgrading the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system to be compliant with state Department of Health regulations; replacing sections of the roof directly over patient care areas; and investing in staff training. One area is being converted into an education room so staff and providers can keep up on their credentials and current care techniques without needing to travel.

These projects are slated to begin this year with the help of engineering firm McKinstry.

Three Rivers is also working with Stryker on a package to upgrade surgical suite equipment, Munson said.