New Addition Complete At Baldwin Hospital
by Mary Caton-Rosser
by Mary Caton-Rosser
 Baldwin, WI 54002-0045 (715)684-3311 A Top 100 Hospital! |  |
The world of medicine has followed a path of tremendous strides over the past couple of decades. Baldwin Hospital has kept up with the strides in providing quality health care by adding staff, newtechnology, and even more space to accommodate the needs of the local population.
Construction was completed on the original Baldwin Hospital in 1936. The facilities provided a"state-of-the-art" operation at the time, and the small community was fortunate to have such finehealth care conveniently available.
In 1954, an addition gave the hospital 17 extra beds and x-ray capabilities.
Then in 1971, a second addition included extensive remodeling of the original building and thefirst addition at 950 Curtis Street. When it was complete, Baldwin Hospital had a new dietarydepartment, conference room, new nursing services, heating plant, renovated obstetrical department and laboratories.
The need for a surgery wing prompted a 1980 construction project.
Over the years, the additions were completed with the moneys gathered through fundraisers, aswell as financing through the Village of Baldwin and the sale of municipal bonds.
The most recent advancement in the hospital's history not only updated the amount and type ofservices offered, but also changed the address. The main entrance, which was formerly located onCurtis Street, was moved to 730 10th Avenue, which sits back from the hospital's parking lotalong Highway 63 (10th Avenue.)
The addition, which was completed in 1994, was built onto the back of the Curtis Streetstructure. A $2.2 million endeavor, the project was backed with funds stemming from a RuralElectric Association loan in coordination with Baldwin Telecom, as well as the sale of revenue-sharing bonds in conjunction with the Village of Baldwin.
The 1994 addition not only added improved parking space and a new front entrance, but alsoenlarged reception, lobby and patient waiting areas, an outpatient room, special care rooms, animproved nurse's station, meeting rooms, cardiovascular rehabilitation services, an emergencyroom and ambulance drive-up.
Richard L. Range, Baldwin Hospital Administrator, says the addition was completed in directresponse to new regulations posed by the American Disabilities Act, as well as a need to improveon an antiquated structure.
"The new addition has allowed Baldwin Hospital to become a more efficient operation. It makesus current with the medical movement," he adds, "enabling us to offer health care encompassingeverything from acute care to outpatient care to same-day surgery."
With the new addition also came the services of 24-hour short term acute care. 24-houremergency care is staffed by an on-duty physician. Urgent care clinics, in addition to emergencyservices, are held on Saturday and Sunday, as well.
Other Baldwin Hospital services include small incision/cataract surgery, physical therapy,occupational therapy, Home Health Center, diabetic education, and Life Begins birthing center. Specialist services include audiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, opthamology,orthopedics, urology, general surgery and ear, nose and throat.
Baldwin Hospital is served by 24 hour Baldwin Ambulance Service and a crew of certifiedvolunteer Emergency Medical Technicians. Life Link of Minneapolis provides emergency airservice via helicopter.