WellStar Paulding Hospital Opens

HIRAM, Ga. – The new eight-story, 295,000-square-foot WellStar Paulding Hospital opened for patients April 1. With 56 beds and the ability to double its current capacity, the WellStar Paulding Hospital houses four state-of-the-art surgical suites, 40 emergency exam rooms, a dedicated pediatric emergency department and cardiac catheterization center.

The new hospital features several new technologies, such as UV Air Handlers and a water re-disinfectant system, that are focused on infection prevention.

"WellStar Paulding Hospital was designed with the guiding purpose of being the safest hospital in the world for patients, families, team members, the community and the environment," said Reynold Jennings, CEO of WellStar Health System, in a statement. "WellStar is committed to serving the people of northwest Georgia and metro Atlanta. We are always keeping an eye on innovation and forging new partnerships that will benefit our community and further our vision to deliver world-class health care."

The project also placed special emphasis on green technology and building practices. General contractor, Birmingham, Ala.-headquartered Brasfield & Gorrie, installed a geothermal heat pump system to provide heating and cooling to the facility. It is the first geothermal heat pump system to be installed at a hospital in the state of Georgia.

The new hospital features all-private inpatient rooms, a retail pharmacy, café and a beautiful eight-story atrium that connects the hospital to a new four-story medical office building. Patient rooms also feature nearby family areas that accommodate visitors.

"For more than 50 years, we have cared for our friends and neighbors in Paulding County," said Mark Haney, president of WellStar Paulding Hospital, in a statement. "While designing the new hospital, we have focused on three areas: family, energy and safety. Each plays a major role in helping patients heal. WellStar Paulding Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility that the people of northwest Georgia and Paulding County can be proud of."