FCC Lompoc finalizes construction of COVID-19 Hospital Care Unit

LOMPOC, Calif. - The Federal Bureau of Prisons announced that the constructions of the Hospital Care Unit inside the walls of the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Lompoc has been finalized in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The care unit is located within a decommissioned Prison Industry factory, inside the a medium-security component of the Complex, otherwise known as USP Lompoc.

The Bureau said the transformation from office space to working hospital
included a complete renovation, gutting the existing floor and wall coverings, replacing duct work, upgrading electric lines, installing showers and building a Nurses Station.

The idea to build a hospital for the prison was first conceived on April 9, after the first inmate tested positive for COVID-19 on March 31.

Now, just over a month later, 107 inmates have tested positive for the virus and 1 person had died.

The prison anticipated that, based on the size and density of the inmate population, there would be a high volume of cases once the group became infected. This meant they would have a hospital need greater than what the local hospitals were prepared for.

The Bureau explained that the new Hospital Care Unit is made up of 10 double-occupancy, acute care treatment rooms with negative pressure, Patient Intake Room, Nurses Station, Pharmacy, Linen Exchange Room, Biohazard Room and Medical Supply & Storage.

Several areas were retrofitted to accommodate an Officer’s Station, a Staff Lounge, and Staff Locker Room, complete with shower stalls for use to mitigate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

FCC Lompoc negotiated a contract for medical personnel, including Doctors, Registered Nurses, Paramedics, Pharmacist, Physician Assistants, Nurse Assistants and a Clinical Manager, who will work in conjunction with FCC Lompoc Health Services staff.

Cases normally requiring outside hospitalization will be able to be treated within the prison, minimizing the impact the prison outbreak has on the Lompoc community.

The Hospital Care Unit is scheduled to open for service on Wednesday, May 6. A ceremony was held to dedicate the unit on Friday.

For more information from the Bureau of Prisons about COVID-19 and to see daily updates, visit their coronavirus webpage.