Ira Davenport plans major upgrade, expansion of services
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

FILE PHOTO Pictured above, Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital is planning renovations and expansions of its emergency, imaging and rehabilitation services.

BATH - Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital has announced it will upgrade and expand a range of services and construct a new rehabilitation services department.

Work at the community hospital already has started with renovations to the front lobby and emergency department reception areas. The expansion will improve patient evaluation and conditions in the waiting area, the hospital said in a prepared release.

The changes also will help accommodate a larger number of patients in the event of a local disaster, according to the hospital. The work is being financed through a combination of local staff work and New York state grant funds.

Ira Davenport's imaging department, which includes X-ray and mammography services, will also be expanded. The department recently committed to purchasing a new mammography unit, a modern Computerized Axial Tomography scanner and a state of the art record keeping system for CAT patients.

Next year, the hospital also expects to provide daily Magnetic Resonance Imaging services.

Said Hospital Chief Executive officer Jim Watson: "We have worked closely with our physicians to evaluate the services that our organization must provide them to meet the health care needs of our community."

Finally, the Rehabilitation Services Department plans relocate to an area that is currently vacant following $2 million of renovations, although this final phase of the hospital's expansion project depends on securing an additional grant.

"We're very optimistic that we will get the grant,' said Watson. "We meet or exceed all of the criterial established by the state."

Once completed, the new space will provide a range of therapeutic services, including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.