 Well big changes are underway on the third floor of the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. Josh Peterson was there and got a tour of the changes. Changes in the air at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center where on the third floor a major renovation of its nursery is underway. The new 10-room nursery which is expected to be completed by the end of the year is all part of a response in the changing needs of Sanford's patients. We are doing a lot of construction and remodeling up within our labor and delivery unit here to better meet the needs of our community. One of the reasons Sanford Health here in Bemidji is expanding its nursery is because of the number of drug exposed newborns has increased. Substance abuse and pregnancy is rising and so our nursery is expanding to fit the needs of the additional babies that are coming in. We're expanding our services to treat those moms more efficiently and effectively. What looks like a skeleton and an endless sea of wires will become a 10-unit private care nursery. It moves the pediatric patients' rooms as well as the nursing station. Then next year an OB operating room will be added to the floor. But the layout isn't the only thing that will be new. A new approach for the mothers will also be implemented. Over the last year we did implement couple care which is the new trend for the model of care for infants and parents. So we're able to keep babies in with their moms during their stay rather than utilizing the nursery as much. Even though the expansion of the nursery does eliminate some rooms, Sanford Health sees the design and practice as the best option for its patients. In Bemidji, I'm Josh Peterson, Lakeland News. Construction on the new nursery should be completed by the end of December. The entire project should be wrapped up by the end of next summer. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.