Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 06/15/1998 All articles from this issue

El Camino Hospital board approves $7.3 million to upgrade facilities

printer friendly version

By Carol Tiegs

Special to the Town Crier

The El Camino Hospital Board at its June 17 meeting approved a funding request for $8.6 million for facilities projects.

Expenditures will include $7.3 million worth of upgrades to the main hospital and patient tower. Hospital Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Richard Warren called the upgrades "catch up work." The funding will cover upgrades to the entire nursing unit, and to waiting rooms, public restrooms and patient rooms. A private registration area will be created to improve patient confidentiality.

The $8.6 million also includes $979,000 to replace the fire alarm, detection and communication system. Ken King, hospital director of facilities, said sprinklers will be installed where still needed and all fire alarm systems will be networked together.

A remaining $317,000 will fund total replacement of the nurse call system.

The board also unanimously approved expenditures of up to $960,000 for replacement of the hospital roofs and up to $577,000 for a security systems project. That project includes development of a security services center and installation of control points, CCTV recorders, access control doors and intercom stations.

Noting that 5-7 percent of the annual budget is a normal amount to put into facilities maintenance and improvement, Warren said, "This hasn't been done for some time." He said plans call for putting 10 percent of budget toward facilities maintenance in each of the next two fiscal year budgets.

Asked by the board about plans for earthquake retrofitting or reconstruction, King said the hospital must submit a report on current conditions and improvements to the state by 2000. Construction solutions must be complete by 2008.

"We have a significant issue to deal with by 2008," he said. "It is an opportunity to merge our strategic and facilities plans."

The board unanimously approved a revised investment policy, authorizing the investment of $5 million of the hospital's surplus funds in an equity account to be invested in stocks.

Warren said this move takes advantages of the hospital's nonprofit status. The equity account offers the potential for increased return from its surplus funds, he said.

The $5 million represents approximately 4 percent of total surplus funds of approximately $120 million, said Marla Gularte, chief financial officer. The hospital currently maintains its surplus funds in a 24-hour account and a fixed-income account, she said.

Investment activity in the equity account will be overseen by the hospital board, acting as an investment committee. Gularte said a money manager for the account will be selected.