Skiff looking to expand OR

Skiff Medical Center is making plans to upgrade is operating room and endoscopy suite. Skiff is requesting more than $497,000 in funds from the city that were set aside in an asset purchase agreement be released for the capital improvement project.

The funds were set aside for the hospital for costs associated with the purchase of Skiff by Mercy and Catholic Health Initiatives last year. Following the purchase, Skiff found it did not need to use all of the funds saved and are requesting they pass from the city to the Skiff Foundation.

The money would be placed in a restricted fund within the foundation and will only be available for use for the capital improvements associated with the project.

“The project that we would like to move forward with is upgrading our OR and endoscopy suites,” Skiff CEO Brett Altman said. “There are two major areas in the hospital and they are the radiology department and the OR. We upgraded radiology significantly four or five years ago, we need to do the same thing in the OR.”

The project includes reconfiguring the endoscopy suites along with the addition of an a second endoscopy room, improving the OR space and increasing the efficiency and flow for endoscopy suite procedures.

Additional aspects of the project include upgraded lighting in three of the operating rooms to LED lights, which radiate less heat, have a longer life and are more energy-efficient. They also provide a whiter and more consistent light, which provides better shadow control and a better environment for the surgeons.

“Skiff completes nearly 1,000 potentially life-saving procedures annually in our endoscopy suit and the addition of a second procedure room would increase the capacity for completing these important procedures,” Skiff CEO Brett Altman said.

Graham Construction of Des Moines was approved for the renovation by Skiff at a total price of $551,016. Skiff fundraising contributions will contribute $50,000 toward the project while the remaining funds will come from the money requested.

The transfer of funds will be discussed at a future council meeting. No action has been taken on the subject to date.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com