SAINT THOMAS HIGHLANDS HOSPITAL COMPLETES RENOVATION OF ITS SURGERY AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS

Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Tenn. has just completed a $280,000 renovation of the Surgery Department and the Behavioral Health department, which includes Senior Care.  Saint Thomas Health is a part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.

The Behavioral Health department has 10 beds, and is “usually at capacity,” according to Andy Wachtel, CEO of Saint Thomas Highlands, Saint Thomas DeKalb and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospitals.  Paint, new flooring, cabinetry and updated workstations were included in the renovation, the first for this hospital department in nearly 10 years.  Saint Thomas Health purchased the hospital in 2015.

The Surgery Department was also repainted and refloored, and workstations were remodeled.  “We have two surgical suites which are nearly always scheduled and full with between 175 and 200 surgeries every month,” Wachtel said.  “We performed both of these significant renovations while our normal hospital operations continued.”  Wachtel said maintaining and upgrading the hospital’s facilities at Saint Thomas Highlands is important for both patients and employees.  “We want our hospital to be updated, fresh and clean,” he said.  “Aesthetics is an important part of patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction.  At Saint Thomas Health, we are always focused first on clinical care that is compassionate and with good outcomes for our patients.  We know health care is a competitive market, and we want to be the best choice for our patients in Sparta and the surrounding region.”

Wachtel added the hospital, which is approximately 40 years old, looks “really good. The front entrance, common areas, cafeteria and patient rooms have all been remodeled, and this recent renovation was the next step for our overall facility plan,” he said.