DANNEMORA — As medical services expanded and improved over the last 70 years, Clinton Correctional Facility’s hospital changed with the times.

But increased demands of patient care, officers, health providers and inmates began to outgrow the hospital’s small, aging quarters.

So when the construction of a larger state-of-the-art health-care unit began in 2005, many saw the $22 million project as a much-needed improvement for the largest maximum-security prison in the state.

IMPROVEMENTS

“It’s a tremendous leap forward,” Superintendent Dale Artus said recently. “It meets the modern health-care needs of our inmates much better.”

After years of anticipation, the four-story complex opened last August and staff transitioned into the new 63,000-square-foot unit, which features more secure holding areas, a larger pharmacy, additional office space and an entire floor dedicated to the growing mental-health unit.

Artus credits the staff and their ideas with helping to get the new unit up and running smoothly.

For Elizabeth Blaise, a senior nurse specializing in preventive care and health education, the improvements have made her role as a chronic-care nurse much easier.

“It’s more modern and more up-to-date,” the 19-year nursing veteran said.

She noted the enhanced computerized data system that helps her track records and prescriptions.

“It’s so much better ... and I can do a lot of patient teaching now. I absolutely love it.”

Supervising pharmacist Paulette LeDuc also praised the unit, saying, “It’s much better for us. It’s more efficient overall, and there’s less distractions. And it’s more secure.”

NEW TECHNOLOGY