With PC Construction’s $9.5 million Radiation Oncology project at Fletcher Allen Health Care now undergoing the finishing touches, the hospital is anticipating treating their first patients in the new department within the next few weeks. The new facility houses dosimitry and treatment planning, patient exam room space, gendered changing areas, patient registration, and a comfortable waiting room, as well as three new linear accelerator vaults.  

The new space necessitates an updated operational plan for the staff and treatment providers. To test the new plan and assist in those preparations, PC Construction facilitated a Day in the Life exercise on Monday August 2.  Hospital staff volunteered to play the roles of patients and families to run through the processes of registering a patient, providing a treatment plan, and administering treatment on an inpatient and outpatient visit. Amidst these regular functions, there was a full power outage and fire alarm, and a code 99 and patient assist were called. This allowed emergency responders to map the best route to and from the new location.  

Collectively, we were able to test building systems, operational efficiencies, and ensure that we are prepared for opening day. I personally love being part of the process – people are getting excited for their new space and the spirit of making things just right for the patients is overwhelming. And every time we help activate a new space, I learn more about hospital operations and bring that knowledge back to PC Construction’s Health Care teams.  That helps make our next hospital project even better.

Photo by Raj Chawla / UVM Medical Photography