By Daniel Wolowiczdanielw@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers HOSPITAL CONSTRUCTION ––Patrick Smith, director of plant operations, observes a crane moving structural steel components that weigh more than 29,000 pounds as construction continues at Los Robles Hospital in T.O. The 200,000-square-foot expansion will be completed in December 2006. This week marks the one-year anniversary of the groundbreaking for Los Robles Hospital’s new 200,000-squarefoot patient wing, which includes a new entrance and lobby. The renovation is on budget, and the building is on schedule to open in December 2006, hospital officials said.

The $120-million addition will nearly double the hospital’s total square footage and will feature an additional 90 beds.

Once completed, Los Robles will be the largest hospital in Ventura County, with 286 beds.

“We’re really excited about (the new wing),” said Dr. Bernard Klein, chief operating officer and medical director for Los Robles Hospital. “It’s what the community needs and deserves, and it will help us significantly improve our ability to provide safe, quality care.”

The facility will house more labor and delivery rooms, expand the neonatal intensive care unit and will also include an entire floor dedicated to women’s and children’s health services.

Klein said the new wing will allow him to make many of the semi-private rooms in the hospital private, which will help alleviate space problems in rooms when additional medical equipment is needed. Klein said private rooms were also added to meet the needs of patients who prefer their own rooms.

Kris Carraway-Bowman, head of marketing for the hospital, said a number of other departments will benefit from the additional space. She said the pharmacy, as well as the oncology and cardiovascular departments, are a few of the services set for expansion once construction is completed.

The renovation, which has been in development since 2000, is a response to the needs of the growing population in the Conejo Valley. Since the hospital’s opening in 1968, the valley’s population has jumped from 30,000 residents to 150,000. Los Robles is the only full-service hospital in the Conejo Valley.

According to hospital records, Los Robles had 2,300 inpatients during its first year. In 2004, the hospital admitted more than 14,000 patients.

Because the wing now occupies the hospital’s old parking lot, a new, 520-space parking structure with helipad was completed last year.

Kitchell Contractors, a Phoenix-based company, is handling construction. Hayes and Oakley Architects designed the building. Both companies were contracted by Hospital Corporation of America, Los Robles’ parent company.

Jim Pullen, head of construction, said work crews are currently erecting the building’s steel frame. Particular health precautions are being taken during construction to help maintain a sterile environment inside the hospital, he said.

Pullen also said his staff has been extra-cautious with truck deliveries because of the relatively “tight” piece of property the new wing occupies. To help with safety on the surrounding streets, flag crews are being used to direct trucks.

The new wing will also feature two additional emergency generators. Currently, the hospital has one.