Backus to develop business and technology center
Print |
NORWICH - Calling it "an investment in the future of healthcare delivery," The William W. Backus Hospital Friday announced it has purchased property in the Norwich Business Park to be used for a business and technology center.
Backus finalized the purchase of the property late Thursday, concluding a $3.75-million investment in the facility at 11 Stott Ave., directly across from Dodd Stadium. The 50,000-square-foot building will house a new information technology center, a training and education center, and system-wide business operations.
The hospital has been researching the creation of a community-wide integrated health information exchange, and the new building - which was designed specifically for information technology - provided an ideal solution, said Dave Whitehead, Backus President and Chief Executive Officer.
"This facility is, by far, the most cost-effective and efficient opportunity to expand our information technology capabilities in spaces designed for that purpose," Mr. Whitehead said. "This allows us to put existing space on our main campus and satellite locations to their highest and best use in support of patient care. The new training and education space is also an important investment in our people."
More than 100 non-clinical Backus employees will work in the facility.
Significantly, the center will also be used for extensive training for physicians and their office staff as the hospital embarks on a large-scale community electronic health record (EHR) project. The EHR will create a common medical record in private physician offices throughout the region. It will allow physicians in the community and the hospital to share electronic health information, resulting in improved effectiveness for patients and healthcare providers.
Backus also plans to support a regional health information exchange, providing timely availability of clinical information. In the future, this project would be connected to other community providers, including home health agencies, community health centers, school nurses and emergency medical services providers.
"The Board of Trustees fully supports this forward-thinking endeavor," said Peter Disch, Chairman of the Board. "This is a strategic investment in the future of healthcare delivery for our region."
Washington State-based Daticon, which had built the facility, will continue to operate at the location, leasing space on the in the building from Backus. "This helps offset some of the investment associated with the purchase. Having an income-producing tenant makes the project more cost-effective," Mr. Whitehead said.
The new facility is the second large building in Norwich that Backus has repurposed for healthcare delivery system use. In 2003, Backus started leasing a former department store off Interstate 395 that it has since reconfigured into the 57,000-square-foot Backus Outpatient Care Center, housing clinical and physician office space.
City officials applauded the announcement.
"This is good news for Norwich, good news for Backus and good news for healthcare," said Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom. "Backus is one of our city's strongest assets, and we welcome this important investment in our community and its wellbeing."
"Backus continues to be a leader in our city's economic development," said Bob Mills, executive director of the Norwich Community Development Corporation. "Backus is a major leader within the single largest industry cluster in our community - health care. In addition to its large and skilled medical work force, the integration of information technology will begin to redefine health care as we know it. It is a treat to have Backus leapfrog in front of much of the competition and establish a strong, defining industry role right here in Norwich. We will be able to use this to grow additional business opportunities in the area."