Visitors and patients of Castleview Hospital can expect a more modern and inviting atmosphere the next time they visit.

The hospital has completed its $9.3 million expansion and renovation project that included expansion and renovation of its Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as well as a makeover of the hospital’s radiology department.

“We are thrilled with the expansion and improvements made to our facility,” said Mark Holyoak, chief executive officer of Castleview. “Part of our goal was to make the hospital a more welcoming and comfortable environment for our employees and visitors, and we have definitely succeeded in that. Furthermore, this new space will significantly enhance our ability to provide quality care close to home for all in our community.”

Throughout the project, additional upgrades to the hospital’s nuclear medicine program, registration and waiting areas, patient rooms and the pharmacy were also made, bringing the total investment to more than $10.8 million.

With the completed renovations, there are a number of entrance and registration changes patients need to know.

• The south entrance should be used for quick access to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), cafeteria and administration.
• The ED entrance is strictly for patients in need of emergency care. Registration for emergency room patients is located immediately inside the ED entrance.
• The main entrance to the hospital should be used for outpatient registration, including lab, x-ray, and cardiopulmonary visits, and patient accounting needs.

Key upgrades completed in the last phase of the project include a completely redone imaging department, which will offer patients greater privacy and more comfortable waiting areas. A special room for pediatric patients was also added to the ED. It features a bubble wall, which includes colorful LED lighting with bubble accents.

All four walls are covered with sea life artwork and the ceiling has light panels decorated with kites and hot air balloons. Another added measure of comfort is “Buzzy the Bee”, a hand-held device that naturally and quickly minimizes sharp pain from needle sticks like IV starts, blood draws, and/or finger pricks, though a combinations of vibration, ice and distraction methods.

“We wanted to create a special room in which our pediatric patients could be seen,” said Grant Barraclough, emergency department director. “This space was incredibly well-done and will go a long way towards making our younger patients more comfortable.”

The project began in October 2014 and was supported by a $10.8 million investment from LifePoint Health, a leading healthcare company of which Castleview is a part.