Much thought went into JRMC’s layout

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While Jamestown Regional Medical Center will house state-of-the-art technology and services, one of the most important features is something that may be easily overlooked.

“The building was designed with the patients as the No. 1 consideration with the staff and their efficiency following very closely,” said Bill Kennedy, marketing director at Jamestown Hospital.

The main floor houses many of the hospital’s services, and those services are clumped together on the west side of the building.

Patients can find surgical services, the emergency department, the laboratory, radiology, respiratory care, the sleep lab and stress testing all in the west wing of the main level.

“The emergency department reaches out to those other areas on a frequent basis,” Kennedy said.

He called the emergency department an essential unit that should be readily accessible from other major departments in the building.

The upper level houses the 25 patient care beds, as well as the intensive care unit and the nursery.

Also on the upper level is the Family BirthPlace, located directly above surgical services. Any emergency procedures that need to be done — like a cesarean section — can be arranged quickly thanks to a staff-reserved elevator.

Other services found on the main and lower levels in the Jamestown Regional Medical Center are the Apple Basket Café, a non-denominational meditation room, a conference room and business center, medical records, offices and space for employees.

The café offers a view outside through wall-high windows of glass. Kennedy said it’ll serve some of the healthiest and tastiest food served in Jamestown.

What’s inside is only a third of the design of the Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

The outside of the building, and convenience for patients looking for services, are other elements of the efficiency of the building.

The ambulance garage is also located directly behind the emergency department for quick drop offs. Plus a helipad is also close to the emergency room for patients in need of services not provided here.

“Helipad adjacency to the emergency department is crucial,” Kennedy said.

Those stopping to visit or patients who require a surgery procedure that can be completed in a day will also have quick parking and easy access to the facility.

Physical and occupational therapy are both on the southeast side of the new building with immediate access, which makes therapy services more convenient for the patient.

Part of the design is looking toward the future, and Kennedy said there is room in the facility to add 10 beds if the need in the area grows.

An office building to be completed next year will also have room for doctors’ offices and clinics that want to relocate. More services may also come in with all of the expansion.

The future may also grow the area of town where Jamestown Regional Medical Center is located.

Kennedy said a quick way to get there from north Jamestown is to take U.S. Highway 281 to 81st Street Southeast, or the Bud Murphy bypass, straight to the hospital.

Residents in downtown Jamestown can take Mill Hill and get on Interstate 94 from 17th Street Southwest. He said it’s a seven-minute drive from the Knights of Columbus.

To better identify with the region Jamestown Medical Center will serve, Kennedy said the hospital is working on acquiring works of art from local artists to display in the building.

He said the new building and technology and some of the scenic views in the building combined with local art represent the region it now stands in.

“It’s really the hospital that is an expression of what North Dakota is in the present,” Kennedy said.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, jrmc series, news, hospital