Things to Know About the Upcoming Opening of Northwest Health – La Porte
10/20/2020
The official move date from the current La Porte Hospital in downtown La Porte to the new La Porte Hospital just a few blocks away on State Street is set for Saturday, October 24. Before such a move of this size and magnitude may take place, there is an incredible amount of planning and coordination that must occur to ensure that every possible detail and outcome is considered and planned for. Read on to get a better idea of how we will actually move the hospital.
It is assumed there will be a need to transport approximately 124 patients and estimates it will take between six and eight hours.
FAQs
Q: How long will La Porte Hospital take care of inpatients after the new hospital begins accepting patients?
A: They will cease operations at the current La Porte Hospital, 1007 Lincolnway at 6 a.m. on Saturday, October 24 and be fully operational at the new Northwest Health – La Porte at 6 a.m. on the same day. However to ensure no gap in care occurs; they will be able to provide patient care services at both hospitals until the move is complete. On October 24, patients will start being transported to the new hospital and new patients will no longer be received in the current Emergency Department (ED) after 6 a.m.
Four departments will remain at 1007 Lincolnway until September 2021 when their new Medical Office building opens adjacent to the new hospital.
Q: What if someone comes to the existing ED after 6 am on October 24?
A: Area ambulance services have been instructed to take patients to the Northwest Health – La Porte. If a patient comes to the current ED by private transport, their condition will be assessed and they will either be directed to go to the new ED or, if necessary, will be stabilized and transported there by ambulance.
Transporting patients from one location to the other will require a fleet of ambulances. Some vehicles are being brought in from surrounding areas so as not to interfere with the ambulance service in La Porte County. Some off-duty EMS units and personnel will also be assisting with the move.
Q: How do they decide the order in which patients are moved?
A: The most ill patients will be moved first, and we determinations of patient status will be made at the latest possible time. Any lab or imaging work needed on a patient will be completed by 4:30 a.m. the day of the move, and all diagnostic tests will be done by 5 a.m. Doctors will have completed their rounds by 5 a.m. and will establish the patient’s condition. Mothers and babies will be transported together. Additionally, all ambulances are equipped with advanced lifesaving equipment.
Q: What if a patient is in labor or at the end stages of life on move day?
A: If a mother is in active labor, the physician will determine the best time for the patient to be transported. The hospital staff will respect the family and the patient with end-of-life issues; they will not cause anyone undue hardship for the sake of efficiency. The move is a collaborative approach between the medical staff, the executive team and the directors at the hospital as well as state and local police, fire, Emergency Management Association, and governmental officials. It takes everyone working together to manage patient safety for a move of this size.
Q: With so many patients being moved on that day, will roads in town be closed?
A: No, lanes will be reduced but roads will not be closed. Several routes from one hospital to the other have been established, which will not only reduce the impact on local traffic, but will also reduce the potential for an ambulance encountering an accident, a train or other type of traffic-stopping event.
Q: When will the old La Porte Hospital close?
A: The current La Porte Hospital will continue to house four departments until the organization’s new Medical Office building adjacent to the Northwest Health – La Porte is complete in September 2021. Departments that will remain include the wound care center, infusion department, arrhythmia clinic, and sleep lab.
According to Ashley Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, “More than twelve months of planning and training have gone into making this move safe for our patients. With the cooperation of our entire staff and area first responders and coordination with the City of La Porte we expect the transfer of patients from one facility to the other to be completed in a safe and timely manner.”
For more information visit newlaportehospital.com.
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