By Pat Hammert/Staff Writer

In the fall of 2007, Parkview Hospital will open an “after-hours clinic” for non-emergency patients, alleviating heavy traffic in the emergency room.

During the daytime, the same space will be used to add specialty doctors coming once a week from the metro area to treat patients in an expanded specialty clinic, said Parkview Administrator Lex Smith.

Trustees last week approved the design plans that will add 4,236 square feet to the existing building as well as rearranging some office space for the expansion.

“Our specialty clinic is a very good revenue source and we will have space to add two physicians at one time to treat patients — we’ve added an orthopedist, a cardiologist and a pulmonologist,” Smith said.

The design is being done multi-purpose so that the hospital for the first time can offer an evening non-emergency clinic out of the same space. Smith said the renovation should be completed in 10 months.

The construction costs and needed equipment and furniture — about $400,000 — are being funded through a five-year loan from Bank of Union. Much of the work will be done with the hospital’s in-house carpenters, Smith said, saving the hospital on the construction costs.

The hospital is also buying replacement bacteriology equipment for the lab costing $53,500 and a replacement obstetrics fetal monitor for $14,755. The hospital auxiliary will pick up about half the cost for the fetal monitor. The lab equipment will be funded through a five-year loan through Bank of Union.

Trustees also recently approved a performance improvement plan and a risk management plan for 2007.

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