LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. (WKTV) - Little Falls Hospital is embarking on a $12 million expansion and renovation project to upgrade its facility and meet its growing needs for outpatient and ambulatory care.

"This was built totally for inpatient care. We were a 150 bed facility at one time, now a 25 bed critical access hospital," says President and CEO of Little Falls Hospital Mike Ogden. "So in terms of business, 25-30% of business is on the inpatient side, but nearly 70% or more is in the outpatient and health and wellness programs."

The multi-million dollar upgrade is partially funded by a New York State HEAL grant, bequest and private donations. The project will enhance the hospital's surgical suite, radiology, cardiology and rehabilitation services, improving the overall quality of patient care.

"When we do patient satisfaction surveys, we find people have trouble finding their way around because different services are located in different parts of the hospital," says Ogden. "Waiting areas are inadequate for outpatient areas, so certainly, comfort for family members and patients will be much improved."

Little Falls Hospital has begun the first stages of abatement and in a few weeks, demolition for the project will begin. The whole project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2013.