Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union Hospital moving ahead with OB renovation

Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union Hospital moving ahead with OB renovation

Work behind the scenes continues at Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union Hospital as staff prepare for the remodel of the hospital's Labor and Delivery Department, which includes its birthing center.

The project, for which planning began in late 2024, will include upgrades to the hospital's labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) rooms; new medical equipment, such as monitors, labor beds and bassinets, in each of the rooms; and finishes in the department that will make it feel more like home and less like a hospital.

Hospital administrator Patrice Kuennen said the team is in the process of studying architect renderings of the project to assure the layout will provide the best experience for patients and create efficiencies for staff. In addition to the $1.1 million in federal funding secured by Rep. Ashley Hinson and $370,000 from the hospital's capital budget, the Palmer Memorial Foundation is generously contributing $350,000 to the project.

"We are very thankful and blessed that our Foundation has committed $350,000 that will go toward equipment side of things," Kuennen said. "Currently, all Palmer Foundation fundraising is going toward the OB upgrade. That's been really fun because that brings the community into it even more."

According to hospital staff, the improvements are being made with patient care at the forefront. The updated department will also help create seamless workflows and efficiencies for the staff caring for the patients.

"The rooms will look different. This upgrade will significantly enhance efficiency for our staff while creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment for our patients and their families," Kuennen said. "Our primary goal was to improve operational efficiency and foster a home-like atmosphere for those we serve."

The department currently has four labor, delivery and recovery rooms, and that number will increase to five. However, the rooms will soon be equal in size and include the same equipment, which isn't the case right now, said Bethany Hanson, lactation consultant at the West Union Hospital.

"Right now, we pick our two favorite rooms and hit them hard with patients," she said. "This would be so much nicer for longevity because we can use these four rooms all the time."

The remodel isn't just about adding the wants; it's necessary to maintain the hospital's ability to keep the department open, Hanson said.

It's important to Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union to be able to continue offering OB services to the community, as it is the system's only critical access hospital that delivers babies. In 2024, it delivered 100 babies - 50 boys and 50 girls.

"Maintaining this service is vital to our community, as it directly supports the families who are the heart of rural areas," Kuennen said. "Our commitment is to ensure that families continue to choose us for all their healthcare needs, fostering lasting relationships and trust."

Hanson said it's important to have good care nearby with the best facilities, especially now. There are more pregnant women who are sicker than ever before, and there are many reasons for this, including changes in health and healthcare access over time.

"They come to us because they're pregnant, but their care often involves much more than that," Hanson explained. "Conditions or complications that used to be rare 15 or 20 years ago are now something we manage regularly as part of their care."

If all goes as planned, Kuennen hopes for work to begin on the project in late December or early January, with a nine- to 10-month timeline for completion. In the meantime, OB services will be temporarily relocated to the medical/surgical unit. The shuffling around in the interim will be worth the results.

"We invite you to experience our new environment, designed to be more family-oriented, welcoming and efficient for both patients and our staff," Kuennen said. "Our goal is to ensure a positive and seamless experience for everyone involved."