by Bill RogersAfter years of planning and with assistance of a Canadian logistics company and a veritable fleet of ambulances from four counties, Middletown Regional Hospital has been moved to Atrium Medical Center - equipment, records, and patients.
Though a goal was declared to get the patient count at Middletown Regional under 100 before they finished up the move on Sunday, the closest they could get it was 125. The first of which was moved just after 8 A.M., the move lasting through the whole day until the last of the 125 was moved around 2:30 P.M.
The hospital entrances and exits at Middletown Regional were kept clear by Middletown police cruisers during the final day of the move, most likely to reduce traffic delay. Also on hand were two medivac helicopters on loan to keep the one already present company in the event of a patient needing moved by air.
The hospital move was completed both on time, and under budget, an impressive feat considering the size and scale of the $195-million dollar medical center that has been built on Middletown's east end.