Major Hospital Upgrades Underway

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Lutheran Health Network has launched a nearly $6 million surgical department renovation at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne. The project involves improvements to operating room suites and nursing stations as well as equipment upgrades.

Fort Wayne, Ind. — Lutheran Health Network has announced the beginning of construction for St. Joseph Hospital’s new $5.9 million surgical department renovation to update and enlarge OR suites and pre- and postoperative areas. The project will also include the remodeling of nursing stations and the replacement of surgical equipment. Scheduled to be completed late 2014, the 20,000-square-foot project will be conducted in three phases as not to disrupt surgical care being administered. The first phase will update half of the OR suites and support areas.

“We're excited that St. Joe’s new surgical unit serves as another example of our ongoing commitment to downtown development,” said Eric Looper, CEO, St. Joseph Hospital. “We have the latest technology and skilled medical staff to competently serve the heart of the city. This project will yield a contemporary environment with more space to accommodate larger equipment for advanced procedures.”

The overall renovation will improve workflow efficiency. The operating rooms will be redesigned to be larger so there will be five OR suites rather than seven and one shelled out space for future expansion. The suites will feature new surgical lights and all new surgical equipment such as laparoscopic towers, suction systems and sterilizer washers.

In addition, new flooring, ceiling lights and finishes will be added. New heating and cooling systems will also be installed. The larger pre- and postoperative bays will enhance patient comfort and privacy.

During construction, a large access point on the north side exterior wall of the hospital will provide a direct entrance and exit for construction workers and will allow for debris to be easily removed from the third floor. The sidewalk on St. Joe’s campus along Main Street will be closed for the duration of the project.

Source: Lutheran Health Network