Frequently Asked Questions About BHS Expansion Plans

1. What is the decision?

Based upon extensive analysis, the Board of Trustees has approved the following plan:

• New inpatient care space to be built at the current East Brady Street campus

• A variety of new facilities and services within the Butler region to manage our dramatically growing outpatient care needs

• A major, new information technology system that will link doctors, patients, and the hospital

In order to continue to grow we need to have an inpatient hospital that can accommodate the technology and work environment necessary and superior expanded outpatient facilities to do the same. Healthcare delivery is rapidly changing – with a growing demand placed on outpatient services. For every 1 person that accesses BMH for inpatient care, 28 people are accessing our outpatient services. It is this that has caused us to focus on developing regional outpatient facilities throughout the Butler region.

2. What will change at the current hospital site?

Lots. Some old buildings will be demolished and new patient care space will be constructed. Some space will be renovated. Areas that will be addressed as soon as we can are the emergency room, critical care units, medical/surgical units and the operating room.

3. Is there a commitment to keep the construction jobs local when we build our new hospital?

Yes. In fact, we have already signed a Project Labor Agreement with our local building trades making this commitment. This means that construction workers who work and live in our local communities will be doing our construction when we build.

4. When will the construction of the inpatient hospital be complete?

Construction will begin on the inpatient hospital in the winter of 2006/2007 and be completed by 2009.

5. When will construction begin on the outpatient locations?

It has already begun. One such location to open soon is the Rose E. Schneider YMCA in Cranberry Township, where we will be offering a host of needed and innovative outpatient and wellness services. Others will follow as we define locations and services to be offered.

6. Is it true employees and physicians will have input into the design of the hospital?

Yes! Employees and physicians will begin meeting with our project manager and architects soon to offer input into the design of our inpatient hospital.

7. Can we afford a new health system?

Yes! We have spent almost 4 years researching this exact question. We have a proven track record of financial stability over the past 10 years. All construction costs for all ventures will come solely from the hospital’s existing cash reserves, future revenues, and bonds. No tax dollars will be used. Total project cost for all the new projects is expected to be about $140 million.

8. Wasn’t it cheaper to build a new hospital on a new site?

It was less expensive a few years ago but increasing land costs and building costs have made a completely new hospital on a new site outside of our price range. In addition, more and more of our services are shifting to outpatient at an ever-increasing pace and we need to invest in new computer and information technologies that will change the way we care for patients.

9. Is the Veterans Affairs Medical Center property still a location for the new hospital?

No.

10. We hear there will be fewer beds in the new hospital than we have now?

This is simply not true. Our current hospital has 234 beds. Our new inpatient hospital will have more. There will be more medical/surgical beds and critical care beds.

11. Will there be Behavioral Health services at the inpatient hospital?

Yes, behavioral health, as identified by the Community Health Assessment, is a key health issue in Butler County. We will continue to offer this service – both inpatient and outpatient. Behavioral health includes psychiatric, geriatric psychiatric, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

12. Will there be a Transitional Care Facility (TCF) at the inpatient hospital?

Yes, transitional care is an important component to the hospital and will be offered at the current site.

13. Will a new health system make my taxes go up?

No, the hospital does NOT receive any tax money.

14. Will a new health system make my insurance rates go up?

No. Insurance companies are not going to pay us more because we are building a new hospital. Insurance rates may continue to rise due in part to malpractice abuse, chronic diseases, poor life style choices. But insurance companies do not increase their payments to hospitals to cover construction costs.

15. Will you do your best to ensure that we have as many private beds as possible?

Yes, the goal will be to have as many private rooms as possible. As we move into the internal design of the hospital we will be working with staff to determine which beds need to be private.

16. Has the amount of time taken to make this decision delayed construction?

No, under this plan we will actually start construction approximately 2 years ahead of schedule.

17. Will the community have input into the design of the new health system?

Yes, there will be a number of ways we will update you on our progress and gain your thoughts.