Community Hospital-Fairfax to Build New Hospital
New Updates
Community Hospital-Fairfax is one step closer to building a new hospital.
On January 29, 2008, the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee approved the
"Certificate of Need" application for the construction of the new facility.
The new hospital will be built just north of Fairfax on Highway 59. The groundbreaking
will take place this spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long have you been considering building a new Community Hospital in
Fairfax?
The Community Hospital board is always looking for ways to better serve the healthcare
needs of our community. Every year, the demand for outpatient services continues
to grow. In order to address this demand, the board has been exploring options
with planners and architects for the past six years.
2. Why not renovate the current hospital instead of building a new hospital?
The Community Hospital board weighed the cost of renovating the existing facility
versus building new. After reviewing the cost estimates for renovation, the
board felt it made the most financial sense to build new. The original hospital
was built in 1949 and there have been many building code changes since that time.
Many of the renovations and repairs to the current facility are going to be very
costly. For example, the heating and cooling, electrical and plumbing systems
in the current facility would need to be replaced in the near future if the current
hospital was to stay open.
Building a new hospital will allow us to increase outpatient clinic space, increase
physical and occupational therapy space and build the emergency room adjacent to
the acute care patient wing, resulting in enhanced care and efficiencies.
A new hospital will also allow us to more easily meet new life safety codes, Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) codes and current hospital architectural codes.
The new hosptial will also incorporate the idea of sustainable design or "green"
design. Sustainable design is a way of building which reduces the use of non-renewable
resources and minimizes the impact on the environment.
3. How will Community Hospital-Fairfax be funded?
While some of the hospital building project will be funded by operations, the Community
Hospital board has spoken to lenders and the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Rural Development office. USDA may provide loans. Bonds may also
be obtained.
4. Will our taxes be increased to pay
for the new hospital building?
No. Community Hospital-Fairfax is not
tax supported. There is no tax
assessment to any resident in the area to support the hospital. The hospital
exists based on its revenues from operations and the generosity of our supporters
and volunteers. The generous donations during our fundraisers and the annual appeal
are greatly appreciated, as those donations allow us to purchase equipment in an
effort to have up-to-date technology available.
5. Will Community Hospital-Fairfax increase
charges for services after the new hospital is built?
Community Hospital-Fairfax reviews the cost to provide services each year.
There is an annual cost of living adjustment to hospital charges that has typically
ranged from 0-10 percent. Building the new hospital does not change this procedure
and charges will continue to be evaluated.
6. What will happen to the current hospital
building once the new hospital is built?
Community
Hospital-
Fairfax
has no firm plans for the current building. A group is being formed to explore uses
for the building. Information has been
shared with Atchison County Development Corporation so they can promote the opportunity
to prospective businesses. Community input on uses for the current building is welcomed. Suggestions can be made by calling Myra
Evans at 660-686-2211 or by emailing MyraE@FairfaxMed.com.
Contact Myra Evans at 660-686-2211 or by emailing MyraE@FairfaxMed.com if you have
additional questions.
Previous Updates
Fairfax, MO – Embracing a renewed vitality in northwestern Missouri, Community Hospital-Fairfax
has announced plans to build a brand new hospital in Fairfax.
"Our goal is to give this area the very best hospital we can," said Myra Evans,
CEO of Community Hospital-Fairfax. "We feel the best way to meet the ongoing needs
of the community is to build a new facility."
Plans are to locate the new hospital just north of Fairfax on U.S. Highway 59. The
new hospital will sit on a prominent piece of land.
"The hospital will be easily accessible from the highway," said Beverly K. Jones,
president of Community Hospital-Fairfax board of directors. "We will be acquiring
enough land so that if we need to expand in the future, we will have that capability.
We also know that economic growth requires a responsive and effective medical care
system. We are committed to providing that level of care to our communities."
In April, Community Hospital-Fairfax introduced its new name, new logo and the new
phrase, "Compassionate Care. Close to Home" as a description of its services.
"We take this pledge very seriously and it is the driving force behind everything
we do," said Evans. "We looked at the option of remodeling our current facility,
but realized that would not best serve the needs of our patients and the community.
It is difficult to fit current technology into an old facility and infrastructure
improvements alone would consume a significant dollar amount. Plus, upcoming regulatory
requirements makes renovation of the current facility cost prohibitive."
The existing Community Hospital-Fairfax was built in 1949. "The maintenance of the
hospital has been outstanding," said Jones. "But when you're working with a building
that is 60 years old, we knew that major renovations would be needed. After much
deliberation and careful planning, we thought it was best to start fresh."
The hospital has selected architectural firm Leo A. Daly and Kiewit construction
for the project. Community Hospital-Fairfax has also built an alliance with The
Nebraska Medical Center based in Omaha. The medical center is offering management
support and guidance as Community Hospital-Fairfax looks to the future.
"We will spend the next year in thoughtful consideration as we design and plan this
project. Since we are building this facility from the ground up, we have the unique
opportunity to design it around the latest medical technology and utilize state-of-the-art
equipment." said Evans. "While the environment for providing our services will change,
our services will not. However, we are looking for opportunities to expand or enhance
our outpatient service lines. We remain committed to providing quality patient care
–close to home."
"Space will also no longer be an issue," added Jones. "Right now, we are forced
to be creative with the space available to us. For example, our second floor hallway
is often transformed into a waiting room and some of our outpatient services are
administered in our Emergency Room."
The new Community Hospital-Fairfax will include all private inpatient beds. The
hospital will continue to provide comprehensive patient care including acute care,
24-hour emergency services, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, physical,
occupational and speech therapies, obstetrical care, skilled care and home health
services. The hospital also operates specialty clinics, cardiac rehab and a public
education outreach.
Community Hospital-Fairfax will be building the new facility on land currently owned
by Keith and Roseann Nemyer. "We are very appreciative to the Nemyers for working
with us so the hospital can stay near Fairfax," said Evans. The groundbreaking is
expected to happen in 2008. Hospital leaders anticipate rolling out additional details
in the months ahead.
Community Hospital-Fairfax is also entertaining other uses for its current facility.
Community Hospital-Fairfax can be found online at www.FairfaxMed.com.
Community Hospital-Fairfax opened in 1949 as Fairfax Community Hospital. It is a
not-for-profit acute care hospital in northwest Missouri, providing a full-range
of inpatient and outpatient services including 24-hour emergency care, obstetrical
care, and diagnostic laboratory, radiology and rehabilitation services. Visit Community
Hospital-Fairfax on the web at www.FairfaxMed.com.