Upland Hills Health

IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES

Upland Hills Health, a critical access hospital in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, was outgrowing its aging facilities. More than that, it was losing market share to competition from larger hospitals less than an hour away. UHH wanted to remain an attractive option to the local community by either overhauling its existing facilities or rebuilding nearby. With strong community support, UHH opted to stay on site, which also allowed it to remain adjacent to a recently built senior living facility. By carrying out a major renovation project, UHH wanted to accomplish the following:

  1. Develop a new campus master plan to facilitate long-term growth
  2. Modernize aging facilities and create a cohesive brand with a single architectural style
  3. Expand capacity and services to remain competitive with larger hospitals in the area
  4. Regain lost market share
  5. Improve inefficient campus layout and access to not only improve the patient experience but also improve throughput efficiency

APPROACH / OUTCOME

Through rigorous visioning sessions and a systematic needs assessment, ERDMAN worked with UHH to help it reach smart decisions for a viable future in the community. ERDMAN then initiated a three-phase renovation process to transform the UHH facilities. Since project completion, UHH has experienced tremendous success, success that can be seen in outcomes like these:

  1. Increased market share
  2. Increased revenue (+53%)
  3. Improved outpatient volume (+13%)
  4. Improved patient satisfaction scores
  5. More successful recruitment efforts
  6. Reduction in nosocomial infections

Residents of a community will generally opt for local healthcare if they have a positive perception of that option. This is especially true as the population ages. Today, UHH offers an attractive local alternative that the community of Dodgeville embraces.

QUICK FACTS

  1. Location: Dodgeville, WI
  2. 54,000 SF medical office building (MOB) with related additions including an 8,000 SF imaging center/boiler room, a 3,000 SF ambulance garage, a 14,000 SF lobby/pharmacy, and a 16,000 SF interior remodeling of emergency/lab departments
  3. Demolition of existing power plant and administration offices, with related site work located on existing hospital campus
  4. Patient-focused design includes soothing interior elements, easy wayfinding, and individual waiting pods
  5. Energy-efficient features, including a new boiler system
  6. Total Cost: $22,004,037
  7. Completion: 2009