Vincennes hospital proceeding with $100 million expansion
The board of Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes has authorized an engineering and architectural firm to move ahead with designs for a major expansion and renovation project.
Hospital CEO Rob McLin had recommended the hospital board approve the contract with Indianapolis-based BSA Lifestructures for the proposed Good Samaritan expansion. McLin says the firm has been working on the proposal for the past two months.
A master facility plan study incorporates a program that would include a five-story state-of-the-art inpatient pavilion, redesign of key health care service areas and upgrade of the hospital's critical engineering systems.
McLin said completion of the master facility plan is consistent with the realization of Good Samaritan Hospital's corporate mission and vision. He said Good Samaritan Hospital's vision is to be recognized as the Regional Center of Excellence for health care in Southwest Indiana and Southeast Illinois requires a constant focus on growth.
"We will provide services through a network of facilities currently in our 10 county market area. Our focus will never waiver with regard to reduced complications, low re-admission rates, and continuous focus on patient privacy and safety," McLin added. "As equally important, we will build facilities and a culture that enhances productivity and reduces unnecessary costs as we continue to grow as a regional center of excellence."
"We must grow our medical staff and continue to recruit and retain the best and brightest employees. We will be innovative in the utilization of information technology at Good Samaritan Hospital that will make us a leader in the provision of the highest quality health care possible," McLin said. "We will operate as a regional center of excellence capable of providing the same sophisticated level of quality our patients would expect from major medical centers in the state."
Charles Hedde MD, Chief Medical Officer, stated that the initial priorities to be addressed in the master facility plan include:
• Enhancing the Cardiac Center of Excellence
• Enhancing patient experience through transition to all private patient rooms
• Create opportunities for physician recruitment and engagement
• Expand/enhance the Inpatient Rehabilitation Program
• Be a good steward for the local community
The proposed project is estimated to cost $100 million. The study outlined the work in the facility plan to be completed in five phases. The first would be to build a 200,000 square-foot, 120-bed inpatient pavilion. The following phases would include construction of an energy center, renovations of the Columbian Towers and Health Pavilion. After all renovations, the total hospital beds would be 165, which include inpatient, rehabilitation, and psychiatric.
Improving the patient care experience and providing a more efficient work environment for both staff and physicians are key objectives. "The inefficiencies of workflow will be improved greatly with a new building, for staff and patient care. We had a nurse on an old Columbian Tower unit wear a pedometer, and figured on average a nurse would walk 336 miles per year while at work," Carol Olson, Chief Nursing Officer stated. "The outlay of the proposed building would reduce our nurses' steps by 96 miles per year. This is an incredible reduction which will make our nurses much more efficient."
When looking into pursuing the project, hospital administration took into consideration the cost of needed replacement of mechanical and electrical equipment, such as the chillers and boilers. "Replacing this equipment would cost the hospital $35 million," stated Jerry Stump, Chief Financial Officer of Good Samaritan Hospital. "That's another reason why moving forward with this new patient pavilion and incorporating a new maintenance area would be the best decision for the organization."
"In the study the proposed inpatient pavilion was also evaluated against the reuse of the Columbian Towers for inpatient care, however, efficiencies gained from a modern patient unit design and the ability to enhance departmental adjacencies, and cost effective measures led Good Samaritan Hospital to the new inpatient option" said Gerald Waldroup, Chief Operating Officer.
"Before we finalize these plans, we wish to engage the community in focus groups to educate as to our vision and answer the "why" behind such a significant building program. We are most interested in getting the community on board and sharing our vision for the future" said Fred England, Chief Administrative Officer.
Story courtesy of WFIE TV 14, Evansville and Associated Press.