Prosser Memorial Health’s new hospital is nearly ready to open, and it is already considering future expansions.

Hospital officials announced in late November that the 88,000-square foot facility north of Interstate 82 will open Feb. 1, with public open houses scheduled for Jan. 11 and 18.

The new hospital has been nearly a decade in the making. Prosser Public Hospital District, the hospital’s governing authority, bought the land for the $125 million facility north of Interstate 82 in 2016.  

“As I provide tours to our staff and travel throughout our community, the excitement and anticipation for opening the new facility is palpable,” wrote CEO Craig Marks in his October report to the hospital district’s board of commissioners.

But since it was designed four years ago, the demand for Prosser Memorial’s services has boomed. The hospital has seen patient demand grow by 20% annually for the past five years. That growth will require its gastroenterology department to remain in the current facility to accommodate patient needs.

“We haven’t even opened the new building yet and we are already out of space,” said hospital commissioner Keith Sattler.

The new building will offer:

• Twenty-five private patient rooms, compared to none being private in the current facility.
• Enhanced operating facilities with five operating suites outfitted with advanced technology and imaging equipment.
• Expanded emergency department, with 14 rooms, two of them for trauma.
• Space for an expanded wound and infusion center and cardio rehabilitation program.
• Full-service cafeteria to provide dining options for patients, visitors and staff.

Construction is on schedule and Marks told commissioners that much of the focus now is ensuring the new facility is fully equipped by opening and that the transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Bouten Construction of Richland is the general contractor.

Sattler said he senses excitement in the community for the new hospital and was grateful for that same community contributing nearly $2 million to the hospital’s foundation to secure a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan to pay for the bulk of construction.

Given that the current hospital has served the community for 75 years, Sattler said he wanted this new facility to have the same longevity.

The hospital added 12 providers last year and is on track to add another 14 in 2024 so the new space will ease the growing pains, Sattler said.

“Staff just can’t wait. They’re squeezed in pretty tight,” he said.

And the other benefit of the new hospital is its location – a 33-acre campus with plenty of room to expand compared to the current hospital’s landlocked campus. Discussions have already begun about building a future medical office, Sattler said.