Investing in Local Care: How KVH’s Upgrades Improve Access and Quality
In Kittitas County, where the population has grown over 30% in the last two decades, Kittitas Valley Healthcare’s Critical Access Hospital stands as both lifeline and a local anchor. The hospital is more than just a place to receive healthcare, it’s a place where neighbors care for neighbors and where generations of residents have welcomed their children into the world. The newly completed expansion and remodel of the Surgical Services and Imaging Departments ensure our community has access to high-quality care right here at home.
Department Director of Imaging, Kimme Greenwood, noted, “we recognized the need to expand Imaging Services when it became clear that our existing resources could no longer keep up with the growing demand for timely, high-quality diagnostic care.” Completion of a two-year remodel project has increased operating rooms, surgical outpatient space, and radiology exam capacity. Department Director of Surgical Services, Amy Krogstadt, added, “as we continued to add surgical specialties and providers, our pinch points quickly became more apparent.”
KVH’s Imaging Department underwent a transformative change by adding a second computed tomography scanner (CT), a dedicated procedure room, expanded echocardiogram services, a modern reading room for the on-site radiologist, and investing in a new state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRI). KVH no longer has to divert patients to other facilities for CT scans if one is unexpectedly down or unavailable. Greenwood is proud of the Imaging Department and the work her staff does to keep care local, saying, “with state-of-the-art equipment is now available right here in our community, specialists are choosing to order studies at KVH rather than sending patients to the west side.” Dedication to following the American College of Radiology’s accreditation standards has elevated the quality and safety of studies done in Ellensburg.
Connected by an efficient flow of patient hallways, the Imaging Department backs up into the Surgical Services Department. As surgical volumes continue to rise each year, significant behind-the-scenes work ensures patients receive safe, and seamless care. Unlike the Imaging Department, which was able to move into its new space at the end of construction, the Surgical Services Department had to find a way to operate normally throughout the remodel. As with any construction project, challenges were unavoidable. Krogstadt shared that maintaining normal operations during construction was likely the most difficult part: “Our teams navigated limited space, temporary or frequently changing workflows, construction noise, and an ever-shifting calendar.” Key improvements include a larger fourth operating room, increased holding space in the Surgical Outpatient area, and increased space and storage for the Sterile Processing Department. A walk through the department feels inviting and fresh without the sterile feel many people associate with hospitals. Krogstadt is “excited to continue providing high-quality care for our surgical patients and to support the ongoing expansion of services that allow community members to receive exceptional care close to home.”
As KVH looks toward the future, this expansion represents more than new rooms or equipment. At its core, this project is about the people. With these improvements, KVH is building not just new spaces, but new possibilities for every patient who depends on them.
