KRTV-TV of Great Falls, Mont., reports that Northern Montana Hospital in Havre, Mont., has launched an expansion project to build new ORs and upgrade its intensive-care unit.
The ORs at the 50-year-old hospital are in needs of significant upgrades. “Operating in older OR suites, we just hit some limitations,” Northern Montana Health Care CEO Kevin Harada told the TV station. “Everything needs more power. Everything needs more room.”
Mr. Harada added that the hospital’s surgical teams are fully staffed, and volume is increasing. He particularly expressed a need to expand OB/GYN, orthopedic and robotic surgical services. As a community hospital, he said the goal was to expand patient access to surgical services so community members don’t need to travel to more distant larger facilities.
ICU updates will include upgraded monitoring systems, and more portable equipment for easier movement and patient transfers.
Mr. Harada told the TV station that funding for the expansion, expected to cost between $45 million and $50 million, was provided by the Montana Facility Finance Authority, a state program. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
