GASTONIA, NC – CaroMont Health recently marked the beginning of construction
for a new patient tower on the campus of CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
The 146,000-square foot tower will be dedicated solely to the care and
treatment of seriously or critically ill patients and is part of CaroMont
Health’s commitment to invest more than $350 million in around Gaston
County over the next five years.
“With nearly 250,000 patient encounters every year, CaroMont Regional
Medical Center has experienced a steady increase in patient volume over
the last several years,” said Chris Peek, President and Chief Executive
Officer at CaroMont Health. “Coupled with the projected growth of
our community and the advancing age of our patient population, the need
for hospital-based care continues to rise.”
Construction kicked off last week with a ceremonial setting of columns
that will be used to raise the new Critical Care tower. Coincidentally,
the expansion coincides with the 50-year anniversary of construction for
CaroMont Regional Medical Center.
“In 1970, a group of people not unlike the ones gathered here stood
in this spot with a vision for what this hospital could be,” said
Peek. “That vision became a reality because they knew this community
would grow and it would need the best medical care possible. They also
understood that care and medicine thrive when it is provided close to
home.”
Chris Peek, President and CEO of CaroMont Health delivers remarks
Each floor in the state-of-the-art tower will include 26 private ICU-level
patient rooms, centralized nursing stations and administrative areas to
allow for clear visual observation of all patient rooms. Every aspect
of the tower is designed with community in mind, beginning with the collaborative
approach of the project team. Representatives from medical staff, nursing,
clinical support and facilities management developed floor layouts not
just on paper, but through the full construction of mock patient rooms.
Example of patient rooms for the new expansion project
“At CaroMont Health, we have a phrase we often use to describe our
approach to projects large and small – clinically led, professionally
managed,” said Ashley Long, RN, Vice President for Patient Care
Services and Chief Nursing Officer for CaroMont Health. “The process
to evaluate, plan and develop the future Critical Care Tower here at CaroMont
Regional Medical Center is a true testament to that approach. From the
innovative floor plan, which will allow our nurses to do their jobs more
efficiently, to the larger rooms that balance technology and comfort,
this project will make a difference for each of the thousands of patients
who depend on us to help change and save their lives.”
Dr. Health High, Medical Director for Critical Care and Physician Lead
for the Critical Care tower project, echoed the focus on patients and
their families and acknowledged the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While critical care is a relatively small specialty in the medical
community, it is a complex discipline that requires significant resources
to care for these patients,” said Dr. High. “This project
will position the care team to continue to provide highly advanced medical
therapy and create a healing environment for patients and their loved
ones during a stressful and difficult time in their lives. The pandemic
has been challenging, but it has also shined a light on the resilience
and determination of CaroMont Regional Medical Center and CaroMont Health.
We have shown ourselves to be a community leader, a highly-reliable healthcare
provider and a beacon of recovery and hope even in the most challenging
circumstances.”
Peek acknowledged the dedication of CaroMont Health leadership, providers,
nurses and employees in his remarks.
“This project is not about steel and concrete and bricks; this is
about this community,” Peek said. “This is about the commitment
of the 4,300 employees and providers who serve the thousands of patients
across the region. This is about showing our community how we care –
now and for the 50 years to come.”
Physician leaders place one of four ceremonial columns
The Critical Care tower at CaroMont Regional Medical Center is projected
to open in early 2023.
Rendering of new Critical Care Tower on the campus of CaroMont Regional
Medical Center