Making Progress | Kootenai Clinic Post Falls Expansion Update

Employees and visitors of Kootenai Clinic Post Falls will see a shift in focus this spring as exterior construction moves into its final phases.

Construction crews plan to begin interior work in May, pulling back construction fences to make room for more parking. The exterior of the new clinic building will look familiar to Kootenai patients. The building has a similar design and the same siding as the hospital expansion to make the facility easily identifiable.

MAJOR MILESTONE

“Since Post Falls is the fastest-growing ZIP code in northern Idaho, the most important feature of the building is our ability to improve access to needed medical services in Post Falls and the surrounding communities,” said Jeremy Evans, Vice President of Operations at Kootenai Health. “As we continue to recruit physicians to serve our area, it is important to locate them in a convenient, accessible, modern facility.”

Another major milestone includes the completion of the fourth Big Blue Coffee Company location in early June. Always a big hit with employees and patients, the coffee stand will serve locally roasted Doma coffee, pastries and snacks in an open, light and modern atmosphere. Services, including primary care and specialty clinics, urgent care, radiology and imaging services, laboratory services, and a retail pharmacy will all be available once the expansion is completed.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

Recent changes to the floor plan will positively affect three areas within the space. Kootenai Clinic Family Medicine (currently on the first floor) is now planned to move to the second floor and will nearly double in size. This will allow space for an additional conference room and for the Internal Medicine clinic to expand as well.

“It’s important for us to expand our clinics to accommodate the way we practice medicine now,” said Derek Miller, director of Facility Planning and Property Management at Kootenai Health. “Having more space will allow for a better workflow for our staff and provide a better experience for our patients.”

Kootenai Clinic OB-GYN will gain two additional exam rooms and one treatment room, and Kootenai Heart Clinics Northwest will nearly double in size and expand its services to include stress tests at the Post Falls location.

“Our goal is always to keep patients close to home whenever possible,” Derek said. “With the Post Falls expansion, we will be able to provide even better multispecialty, coordinated care for our patients, closer to their homes.”