Construction projects begin as WRH faces COVID-19 case spike

Even as the numbers of COVID-19 cases in Marengo County spike, just as they are across Alabama and the nation, Whitfield Regional Hospital continues to treat the more severe cases while beginning new projects.

Each day WHR treats anywhere from eight to 15 patients suffering from the coronavirus, said CEO Doug Brewer, “but we’re seeing a lot of other concerns, too.”

““We’re staying full. Every day is a challenge,” he said. Since the first patient with the virus was admitted, the hospital has had only six hours with no COVID patients. “These times are when you have to be operating very efficiently.”

He said the hospital is seeing many people who are sick from other illnesses rather than the coronavirus. Often they are people who have neglected their chronic care needs during the pandemic and are afraid to see their doctor.

The first case in the county was diagnosed March 26. As of Friday, the Alabama Department of Health reports Marengo County has 1,144 people who have tested positive, not including 66 probable cases; 42 of those cases have been reported in the last three days. The county has seen 21 people die from the virus, and another three deaths are suspected.

“I’m really, really proud of the team,” said Brewer. “We’ve become very, very good at treating these patients. Our patients have been having excellent outcomes,” but, like other hospitals around the country, keeping health care professionals on staff is difficult.

“Staffing is a challenge. That’s probably what keeps me up at night right now,” he said. “You don’t stand at this height of this kind of pressure and this kind of stress. It’s just not something our hospitals have every had to withstand before.”

It’s not just nurses who are needed, he continued. Lab technicians, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists and custodial workers all face trying times in this high-pressure environment.

In spite of the problems caused by the virus, WRH has begun major construction projects. Most notable is the crane lifting supplies to workmen atop the hospital. They are completely removing and replacing the roof that has leaked for many years. The project originally was scheduled to be completed in February, but construction is ahead of schedule, Brewer said. The new roof should be fully in place sometime in January, as long as the weather holds.

Work has begun on a Medical Office Building (MOB) which will house a suite for all of the specialists who come to Demopolis to treat patients. Those include the “UAB surgeons, cardiologists and other specialists we are working to get in here very quickly,” Brewer explained. “They’re working nights and weekends on that pretty much around the clock.”

Earlier this week the hospital began the renovation of the ICU, expected to take 82 days, he continiued. The detox unit was closed and rearranged to house ICU patients during the interim. The project will include a complete facelift, bringing everything up to date and adding an additional ICU bed.

Bids were due today on two more projects. The first is the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department and the renovation of the front entrance, main lobby and main hall. The second is the renovation of the Operating Room suite.

Brewer said work should start on both projects within 30 days. The OR renovation should be completed by April 1, and the more extensive ED, lobby and hall construction, by Aug. 1.

Once all the heavy equipment is out of the way, work can start on the parking lot and front entrances of the hospital, with a target completion date of June 1. 2021.

Other projects in the works are renovation to radiology, new boilers, building exterior and windows and access control and camera installation.

““We’re staying full. Every day is a challenge,” he said. Since the first patient with the virus was admitted, the hospital has had only six hours with no COVID patients. “These times are when you have to be operating very efficiently.”

He said the hospital is seeing many people who are sick from other illnesses rather than the coronavirus. Often they are people who have neglected their chronic care needs during the pandemic and are afraid to see their doctor.

The first case in the county was diagnosed March 26. As of Friday, the Alabama Department of Health reports Marengo County has 1,144 people who have tested positive, not including 66 probable cases; 42 of those cases have been reported in the last three days. The county has seen 21 people die from the virus, and another three deaths are suspected.

“I’m really, really proud of the team,” said Brewer. “We’ve become very, very good at treating these patients. Our patients have been having excellent outcomes,” but, like other hospitals around the country, keeping health care professionals on staff is difficult.

“Staffing is a challenge. That’s probably what keeps me up at night right now,” he said. “You don’t stand at this height of this kind of pressure and this kind of stress. It’s just not something our hospitals have every had to withstand before.”

It’s not just nurses who are needed, he continued. Lab technicians, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists and custodial workers all face trying times in this high-pressure environment.

In spite of the problems caused by the virus, WRH has begun major construction projects. Most notable is the crane lifting supplies to workmen atop the hospital. They are completely removing and replacing the roof that has leaked for many years. The project originally was scheduled to be completed in February, but construction is ahead of schedule, Brewer said. The new roof should be fully in place sometime in January, as long as the weather holds.

Work has begun on a Medical Office Building (MOB) which will house a suite for all of the specialists who come to Demopolis to treat patients. Those include the “UAB surgeons, cardiologists and other specialists we are working to get in here very quickly,” Brewer explained. “They’re working nights and weekends on that pretty much around the clock.”

Earlier this week the hospital began the renovation of the ICU, expected to take 82 days, he continiued. The detox unit was closed and rearranged to house ICU patients during the interim. The project will include a complete facelift, bringing everything up to date and adding an additional ICU bed.

Bids were due today on two more projects. The first is the expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department and the renovation of the front entrance, main lobby and main hall. The second is the renovation of the Operating Room suite.

Brewer said work should start on both projects within 30 days. The OR renovation should be completed by April 1, and the more extensive ED, lobby and hall construction, by Aug. 1.

Once all the heavy equipment is out of the way, work can start on the parking lot and front entrances of the hospital, with a target completion date of June 1. 2021.

Other projects in the works are renovation to radiology, new boilers, building exterior and windows and access control and camera installation.