Three Rivers Hospital proposes nearly $48 million modernization project

BREWSTER — Three Rivers Hospital is proposing a nearly $48 million modernization project that would renovate its existing campus, add new space and replace aging building systems, with the proposal expected to go before voters in November.

The public hospital district said the project would be financed through a voter-approved general obligation bond repaid over 30 years through property taxes. Hospital officials estimate the cost at about 33 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $219 annually for a home valued at $300,000. The final tax rate would depend on assessed property values and other factors.

Rather than constructing an entirely new hospital, the proposal calls for renovating the existing facility and building a two-story addition connecting the hospital with Three Rivers Family Medicine.

Planned improvements include a centralized entrance for hospital and clinic services, a dedicated ambulance bay connected to the emergency room, inpatient rooms with private showers, expanded operating rooms and additional radiology space.

The proposal also calls for relocating the laboratory to a larger space, making accessibility improvements and replacing or modernizing electrical, plumbing, medical gas and HVAC systems. Those building systems would be housed in a new outbuilding behind the hospital.

Three Rivers also proposes upgrading to the Epic electronic medical record system, which hospital officials said would improve medical record sharing with larger health care organizations, including Confluence Health, and provide patients access to the MyChart portal.

Hospital officials said aging infrastructure and changes in health care technology and regulations have created space and infrastructure limitations at the facility, which has served residents of Okanogan and Douglas counties for 77 years.

"Three Rivers is an essential part of our community, and we have a responsibility to make thoughtful investments that allow it to remain here for the people who depend on it," Chief Executive Officer Scott Graham said. "This project is about protecting access to local healthcare and enhancing the patient experience so they don’t need to travel long distances.”

Three Rivers provides emergency, inpatient and transitional care, surgery, imaging, laboratory services, rehabilitation therapy, women's health, orthopedics and family medicine, among other services.

Hospital officials said the proposal follows years of community discussions and planning over the future of local health care. Three Rivers has also been working with the other two hospitals in Okanogan County on regional health care issues, according to Board Chair Mike Pruett.

“We appreciate everyone who takes the time to reach out to us and make their voice heard,” Pruett said. “We want to know what our district residents and patients think. Behind the scenes, Three Rivers has been working with the other two hospitals in Okanogan County regarding what the future of health care should be and how we can work together. Those conversations are continually happening to preserve access to care in a county as large as ours.”

If voters approve the project, detailed design, permitting, bidding and other preparations are expected to take about a year before construction begins. Construction is anticipated to take approximately two years.

The hospital said it would continue seeking grants, loans and other funding that could offset project costs. Officials said Rural Health Transformation Program funding could be used for other building needs, including the hospital roof.

Three Rivers plans presentations and facility tours for community organizations, local governments, schools, emergency service organizations and other groups during September and October.

"We want people to have the opportunity to ask questions and see for themselves why these improvements are needed," Graham said. "Our goal is to provide clear, straightforward information so our community can make an informed decision."