Staff writer
Demand expected to be even greater than thought
POST FALLS -- Kootenai Medical Center is holding off on plans to open a cancer center in Post Falls because demand for services may be bigger than first thought.
KMC announced last October that it would build a $3 million, 8,000-square-foot facility at its health park at 1300 E. Mullan Ave. to ease demand at the hospital's Coeur d'Alene campus.
A consultant told KMC officials that a larger center would be needed to meet future demand, said KMC spokeswoman Lisa Johnson.
"Cancer treatments are predicted to increase 50 percent by 2016," Johnson said.
"We were told that the plan for Post Falls needs to be bigger than what was originally planned.
"We want to make sure we prepare for this growth in the right way."
Johnson said construction on the center is now slated to start in 2008, but details such as size and design will not be determined until this fall.
"We have an architect on board," Johnson said. "We've told them what our needs are and they'll come back (with details) that will meet our criteria."
The cancer center in Coeur d'Alene is delivering treatment to more than 100 new patients each month. When it opened in 1987, it had an average of 30 patients a day.
Radiation therapy, not part of the original plan, has been added to the mix in Post Falls to meet the demands spurred on by growth and an aging population, Johnson said.
The clinic will be KMC's second satellite facility. Another currently operates in Sandpoint. The Post Falls clinic would also include space for chemotherapy infusion and patient exams.
Even with the delay in construction, KMC is already expanding its cancer treatment services into the western side of the county.
Oncologist Naseer Ahmad is expected to open an office in Post Falls this fall after a renovation in the existing KMC building.
Johnson said the city of Post Falls will be allowed to use KMC's vacant property to the east of its health park this fall for youth soccer as it has in the past.
That's a relief to the city, Mayor Clay Larkin said.
"Our soccer program has grown immensely," he said.
Usage for the spring would depend on the start of construction, Johnson said.
The Schneidmiller family from Post Falls donated 10 acres to KMC for its Post Falls facility with five acres of that still available for future expansion.
The health park was built primarily for primary care physicians, but KMC has since added laboratory services and imaging. About three years ago, an urgent care portion and a 12-station dialysis facility were added.
Hospital officials have said available parking makes the health park attractive. Some clients will travel to Post Falls from Coeur d'Alene because it's less crowded, they said.
to soccer/cancer wrote on Aug 13, 2007 9:25 AM: