The landscape on West Line St. these days reveals a big, impressive new Northern Inyo Hospital building.  The outside looks close to finished, and officials reveal that the inside has made substantial progress too.  Actual use of the brand new facility has been predicted for early April.

According to Angie Aukee, Director of Community Development and Marketing,  about 3 1/2 months of construction remain.  She said the process for licensing will take a couple of months before the hospital can see patients in early April.

Hospital District residents had voted for a bond measure that pays for this project, in part.  Hospital profits will cover the rest.  Ms. Aukee told Sierra Wave that the flooring for the new build is about 100% complete.  All interior lights are hooked up to power and working.  Above ceiling inspections are underway.  Ceiling installation will follow.

Aukee said GE has started installation of the radiology equipment.  Installation of Operating Room booms is complete.  Crews have begun fire alarm installation and a medical gas system is nearly installed.  The State has started to complete final inspections on items like fire alarms, fire life safety equipment and more.

In the next few weeks, crews will start to install signage.  Asphalt work around the new building is complete.  The next big step is to receive a certificate of occupancy from The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.  That’s expected in late February.  After that point, Northern Inyo Hospital employees go through training, stocking and getting the building ready for the California Department of Health Services to complete a survey.  The new license follows.  Aukee said about a week after approval of the license, the hospital will notify all emergency agencies and the public of the exact date patients are allowed.