Susquehanna Health to open new Susquehanna tower
Susquehanna Health is set to open the new Susquehanna Tower at Williamsport Regional Medical Centre, 700 High Street, Pennsylvania, on 26 February 2012.
The tower development will expand the medical facility by 242,000 square feet. The new tower will house the expanded emergency unit, joint replacement and spine wing, as well as five new surgical suites with a cardiac operating room. Among its other features are a spacious therapy gym for orthopedic patients, multimedia conference space and imaging centre.
The new emergency wing will open in two stages in the first floor of the building. It will comprise private treatment rooms sporting TVs, private telephones and visitor space substituting the 17 curtained bays. There will also be creation of a pair of trauma rooms and a radiology and CT scan suite to serve critical patients.
The Imaging Centre too, will be located on the facility's first level. It will comprise an internal elevator system to allow patient access to a private waiting space in its core. There will be a separate waiting area through the lobby which will enable access to the outpatient imaging patients.
The Education & Conference Centre will feature six large conference rooms for health education classes and support groups. It will also incorporate a roomy conference centre fitted with advanced audio/visual equipment.
The Joint Replacement & Spine Unit of the facility will don therapy gym dedicated for patients with joint and spine related problems. The building will also accommodate a Progressive Care Unit on the same level. The unit will consist of 28 beds and will facilitate patients requiring cardiac monitoring. A new wireless cardiac monitoring system will be installed to allow monitoring of patients from any point in the hospital.
The structure will also feature a surgical suite equipped with various latest equipments for open-heart procedures. Further, The Birthplace will be shifted to the third level of the building by mid-2012. It will imbibe flatscreen TVs, entertainment system for watching movies, mini-refrigerators, high-end toiletries, and a comfortable sleep area for a support person. The Birthplace will also provide wireless internet access. The look of the tower will be complemented by installation of about 400 artistic pieces created by regional artists.
The facility will also abide by several green principles. These include use of sustainable cleaning products and construction materials to upgrade air quality and slash use of toxic chemicals. In addition, the private patient rooms of the facility will install energy-efficient lighting fixtures, as well as high-performance sinks and toilets.
The tower is expected to be ready for patient occupancy by mid-March 2012.
