The face of hospitals is changing fast. The need to provide effective and efficient medical service has become cardinal, and all the stakeholders of hospitals have to ensure they ameliorate service delivery to attain this objective. In the last half century, a wave of technological and infrastructural changes has characterized leading hospitals throughout the world. In this regard, the Ventura County Medical center is no exception. The board of Supervisors has initiated an ambitious project that would see the construction of a massive 120-bed wing building. This will subsequently replace more than half of the current main building at the hospital. Moreover, the 232,000 square feet building will be furnished with not only modern technological equipment, but also be constructed to meet the seismic safety requirements that have been set by the state. This is a massive three –story building that will be built in an area currently home to approximately 100 parking spaces.
The primal significance for construction of this additional hospital wing, which is expected to commence the summer of 2013 and be finished by 2017, is to provide the county residents with high-quality medical care that is available to everyone in need. Moreover, the project is expected not only to have modern facilities, but also be efficient in service delivery, in line with provide the requisite 21st century medical care.
The construction will be a result of approval of a $360 million bond issue from the county government. At least $ 305 acquired from the bond issue will be used for the construction of the additional medical facilities. The remaining amount will be used to finance several projects within the county being undertaken by various agencies. It will also be used to pay the county debt. The bond issue will be sold to investors. Therefore, the bond issue will not require to be approved by votes as is customary. The investors who buy this bond issue shall be repaid over a period of 30 years. The state revenue shall be the main source of the funds to ensure that investors are paid in time.
This project will benefit patients who will be admitted. It will also be an incredible opportunity to the local residents. At its peak, the project is estimated to provide at least 300 jobs. It is encouraging to note that more than half of these available jobs shall be reserved for local residents. It is also vital to note that the local residents were regularly consulted with regard to the designs of the hospital buildings. Previous designs that blocked the residents view were shelved, and a new plan was designed. The local residents were happy with this development.
The bond issue was also strategic and ingenious. It was released when the interest rates are low, and the costs of constructing the facilities are competitive. Moreover, the county reputation with regard to credit rating had ameliorated. This, in turn, will reduce the county’s borrowing cost by a massive $ 1 million a year. The whole project has been meticulous planned with money already put aside for medical equipment, soil remediation, design fees, permitting and any other unforeseeable cost. This will ensure that the Ventura County Medical Center become a world class medical facility.
This is an extremely brilliant project. If it is planned well and executed to the letter, it would facilitate construction of a world class medical facility. This form of development should be encouraged in other counties to ensure that American citizens receive the best medical treatment.
Finally, what impresses me about this project is the meticulous planning of the project right from the inception stage to final execution. On the other hand the fact that the residents did not object to the construction designs of the hospital surprised me.
References
Kisken, T., & Wilson, K. (2013, March 16). Medical center addition OK'd as part of $360 million bond issue. Retrieved from http://www.vcstar.com: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/feb/05/vcmc-construction-meeting-brings-sparse-turnout/
Davidson, E. H. (2013, March 16). Transition of Care and Medical Safety. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net: http://www.slideshare.net/hedavidson/transitions-of-care-medication-safety
