For Immediate Release July 7, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

St. John’s Hospital to build new Outpatient Surgery Department

SPRINGFIELD -- St. John’s Hospital today unveiled plans for an $8 million Outpatient Surgery Department.  The new department will occupy 16,020 square feet and include five operating rooms, 20 patient stations for pre-surgery prep and post-surgery recovery, two consult rooms and two waiting rooms - one for adults and one for pediatric patients.

The new outpatient surgery department will be located in the former ophthalmology department and eye surgery center on the second floor of St. John’s Pavilion. 

“Over the past three decades, outpatient surgeries have gone from representing about 20 percent of total surgeries to now representing more than 60 percent of surgeries.  As we look to the future, we want to ensure that we provide our patients, surgeons and staff with a state-of-the art environment that meets their needs in an efficient and contemporary manner,” said Bob Ritz, president and CEO of St. John’s Hospital.

The new facilities will allow patients easier access to the outpatient surgery with dedicated registration and waiting areas.   A stand-alone sterile processing area, more spacious locker rooms for surgeons and staff, and dedicated pre-and post-operative areas – including several private rooms - will provide for greater efficiencies in how patients move through the outpatient surgery process.

The surgery suites will each average 480 square feet, which will allow for enhanced integration of state-of-the art surgery technology, lighting and equipment.  St. John’s current outpatient surgery suites average 400 square feet.

The design of the outpatient surgery department emphasizes tranquility by incorporating nature’s intrinsic ability to calm and soothe through the use of natural products and a warm color palette.  The use of foliage imagery, natural stone, wood flooring and a cascading water feature welcome each visitor to the comfortably appointed registration and waiting areas.  This outpatient surgery department is light-filled as it overlooks the Pavilion atrium and Madison, providing a unique environment for patients, visitors and staff. 

The design of the department also creates dedicated space for pediatric surgery patients.  A separate child-friendly waiting room with age appropriate furnishings and amenities and private recovery rooms will provide an extra level of comfort to help reduce anxiety for families.

 “Our new outpatient surgery department will not only increase the comfort for our patients and their families, it will also increase efficiencies.  At a time when the government is looking to contain healthcare costs, this project is an example of how we can deliver surgical care more effectively and meet the demands of consumers,” added Ritz.

Outpatient surgeries are typically elective cases where the patient returns home the same day.  Such surgeries can include orthopedic, gynecological, urological, ophthalmologic, plastic, and ear, nose and throat procedures.  

St. John’s new Outpatient Surgery Department is expected to be completed by October, 2010.