Sherman says its ready for move to new hospital

Like a pair of relay runners practicing the routine yet critical baton pass, Sherman Health has spent the last year and a half carefully planning the move to its new hospital at 1425 North Randall Road.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, with rush hour underway and a big question mark over the weather, those plans will be put to the test.

Starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sherman will shift admitted patients, medical equipment and staff from its existing hospital at 934 Center St. to the new facility.

A Sherman spokeswoman said the health system already has factored in the possibility of winter weather and expects the move to go off without a hitch.

"We've been planning 18 months for this day," Sherman spokeswoman Michelle Howe said. "We're really confident that it's going to be a smooth transition."

Ambulances will shuttle an estimated 125 to 150 admitted patients, each accompanied by a registered nurse, to the new location at Randall and Big Timber roads, Howe said.

At 7 a.m., the new hospital will start admitting patients to its emergency department, while the old hospital will stop accepting patients.

Patients who do show up at the Center Street building Tuesday will be evaluated and sent, by ambulance if necessary, to the new facility.

Some outpatient services, including X-rays and other diagnostic tools, will only be available at immediate care centers Tuesday, and will be offered at the new hospital starting Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the former hospital on Center Street will become a 24-hour immediate care facility where patients can get treatment for conditions that are not life-threatening.

The new hospital cost Sherman Health $325 million and has 255 beds in a 645,000-square-foot facility.