After three years, construction on NorthBay Medical Center’s new North Wing was deemed officially complete when the California Office of Statewide Health & Development (OSHPD) completed final inspections on July 17. Immediately after that, move-in plans ramped up.

In addition to installing surgical and medical equipment, stocking shelves on the floors and in the kitchen, staff from all departments have been undergoing training and “Day in the Life” exercises in anticipation of Oct. 1, when care for patients begins in the new facility.

The wing is home to a nearly 6,000-square foot state- of-the-art kitchen and cafeteria with approximately 60 seats inside and a patio area with about 30 seats outside. Also on the first floor is Central Sterile, which supports surgical services and the Diagnostic Imaging department, equipped with state-of-the-art imaging equipment, including a CT scanner, MRI, ultrasound, radiology/fluoroscopy machines, and a gamma camera for nuclear medicine.

The second floor has 22 patient rooms, four nurses’ stations and a waiting area. All patient rooms are equipped with patient lifts, showers and interactive television screens, where patients will receive a welcome message when they are admitted, can view short educational segments based on their medical conditions, watch television shows and movies, listen to the radio or play games. They can also use the network to order their meals, page their nurse or receive care plan updates.

The third floor has eight surgical suites, including a hybrid operating room, a cardiovascular operating room, neurosurgery and trauma surgery suites, as well as 16 post-anesthesia care and same day beds.

Architect for the project is Ratcliff Architects of Emeryville, and contractor is DPR Construction of Sacramento.

Special ribbon-cutting ceremonies and open house activities will be held in September.