Construction Nearing Completion On New MRI, Pharmacy At Stephens Co. Hospital

11/17/2009

Two construction projects continue moving forward at Stephens County Hospital.

Monday, the Hospital Authority received an update on both the installation of the new MRI machine and the pharmacy renovations from Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell.

Regarding the new MRI machine, Gambrell said the actual machine arrived last week and installation should be complete within the next two weeks, followed by two weeks of training and testing.

“We expect to have it operational on December 14, so the date is quickly coming for that,” said Gambrell. “We are so excited because it is really going to be a top-notch, state-of-the-art type of machine.”

The new MRI machine will cost about $2 million for installation and purchase. According to Gambrell, it will provide clearer imaging for doctors, who Gambrell said are excited to have the new MRI at their disposal in the near future.

Regarding pharmacy renovations, Gambrell said that work should also be nearing completion.

“We have temporarily had to re-locate the pharmacy down the hall from where they used to be, but pharmacy should be back in its old, renovated location in about two weeks.”

The pharmacy renovations were needed, according to Gambrell, to alleviate a facility that had not been renovated since 1983. The new facility also will comply with new federal regulations put in place.

Renovations to the pharmacy were scheduled to cost $150,000 to $175,000.