HOBART – St Mary Medical Center opens new surgical pavilion with 32,000 square foot surgical department – the foundation of the hospital’s four-story, $40 million Surgical Pavilion/ICU addition. Hospital officials held an internal ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony on Wednesday, December 9th.
The new surgical department will feature 12 large surgical suites, one minor procedure room, two cystoscopy and two endoscopy suites. The suites are double the size of the hospital’s previous operating rooms. The space accommodates the latest technology including the robot-assisted daVinci SI surgical system®, video integration systems, laparoscopic equipment, surgical navigation systems and laser surgery. A new central sterilization department, post-anesthesia care unit, phase II recovery unit and same-day surgery will also be located in the new space.
“Our hospital has experienced steady growth in surgical services these past few years and we expect that to continue,” said hospital CEO, Janice Ryba. “Our teams have continually earned the highest levels of recognition including our award-winning orthopedic surgery program, our bariatric surgery center of excellence distinction, and our minimally-invasive laparoscopic designation (MILD). These achievements, along with the increased volume and complexity of spine and cardiothoracic surgery programs, are the motivation for building this new facility. We expect our new operating rooms to work seamlessly with surgeons across a multitude of specialties.”
In addition to new spaces and equipment, every attention to detail to support patient safety and a sterile environment was incorporated into the design.
“All of our design decisions — from the materials used for the walls and flooring in the surgical suites, to the special cart cleaning systems and air handling systems — serve to reinforce infection control and a sterile environment,” added Mia Wolf, RN, director of Surgical Services.
Located with a central “core” and encircled by an outer hallway, the surgical services addition features ORs specially equipped for cardiothoracic surgeries, robotic surgery and advanced orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. There is also a dedicated elevator that takes patients directly from the OR to the Intensive Care Unit one floor above.
