ILWACO — Ocean Beach Health, formerly known as Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics, is starting the construction phase of the hospital’s laboratory expansion, having received long-awaited approval from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).

The laboratory expansion is one of the four major projects which are being funded by the capital facilities bond. It is the first project to enter the construction phase.

“We are very happy to see construction begin on the first of four major bond-funded projects,” said Merry-Ann Keane, chief executive officer of Ocean Beach Health. “In a rural setting like ours, fast, accurate, and efficient lab results are critical — timely
diagnoses can save lives.

“This expansion will give our amazing lab technicians and the lab assistants who provide blood-draw services the space and resources they need to continue delivering reliable, precision-driven care to our community.”

The lab expansion will rearrange existing space and add 600 square feet to the facility located on the main floor of Ocean Beach Hospital. The extra space will double the blood-draw capacity, add a separate microbiology room to increase staff safety, and better accommodate the level of staffing needed to have upgraded laboratory services available 24 hours a day, seven days of the week, year-round.

INLINE Construction, based in Beaverton, Oregon, was selected as the contractor for the lab project from among five bids. INLINE has the depth of experience needed to accomplish the project in phases so that lab services will not be interrupted. Construction is anticipated to be completed by this fall.

In 2024, laboratory services staff at Ocean Beach Hospital collected and tested 12,615 outpatient lab samples and completed 304,559 lab tests — an average of 834 tests per day.

“This is remarkable for a rural, public hospital of our size,” Keane added.

A team of nine technologists and five lab assistants serve Ocean Beach Health, the Ocean Park draw station, and the Naselle draw station. For a full list of laboratory services, see www.oceanbeachhospital.com/departments/laboratory.

Progress continues on the design phase of the Ilwaco Clinic expansion, which will include the new Express Care facility. Upgrades to the operating suite — including new operating lights, partially funded by generous donations from the community as part of a successful Ocean Beach Hospital Foundation campaign — are also underway.

Additionally, the expansion of the nursing station and pharmacy will be the next project to begin construction.