Beginning the week of Sept. 24-27, construction work will begin to renovate the main lobby area for Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin as part of the hospital expansion project that has been under way since May 2011.
The area around the current front desk reception counter, admitting and clinic check-in stations will be enclosed with a temporary wall to for the construction work. The Auxiliary volunteers who greet patients and visitors will relocate to a table near the lobby for emergency care. They will direct patients to the new areas within the Aitkin clinic lobby for both hospital admitting and clinic check-in.
The office for Riverwood’s financial counselor, Rae Reinhardt, who meets with patients on medical bill issues, will temporarily relocate to another area of the hospital. Front desk volunteers will offer directions or escort service as needed.
“As with other portions of our hospital expansion and renovations project, there will be minimal impact for our patients and visitors,” says Jayne Anderson, director of quality and risk. “In addition to a fresh new look that will enhance the healing environment of our hospital, the newly redesigned lobby will streamline patient traffic flow with five work stations staffed by employees who can handle either clinic or hospital check-in.”
Riverwood’s main lobby renovation is expected to take three months, October through December. Some finishing work for floor and ceiling coverings will continue in January. The entire hospital expansion project will reach completion in May 2013, at which time the public will be invited for tours.