Hospital Expanding and Refurbishing Several Patient Areas to Meet Increased Demand

Numerous refurbishing and renovation projects are under way in the Hospital to expand existing programs and to accommodate new physicians.

Conversion of semi-private patient rooms on Star and 9 Pavilion to private rooms was completed in mid-January.

Several other projects are slated for completion between now and the end of March, says Susan H. Milner, Director of Facilities Management and Space Planning, Hospital Administration. They include renovation of a new Surgical Family Waiting Area on 8 Gibbon to accommodate up to 75 family members of surgical patients and construction of a new Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) on 7 Gibbon.

Ready for Patients

"When patients come to Jefferson, it's important that we have the right accommodations for both patients and their families," Ms. Milner explained. She added that the work is designed to accommodate increased patient flow from expanding outpatient activity as well as new physicians.

"Converting the two Pavilion floors into all private rooms, including private and handicapped-accessible showers, is a good example of the upgrading we want to do."

Finishes on the patient units were upgraded, including wall-mounted murals of one-of-a-kind Philadelphia and Jefferson scenes by two Philadelphia artists, Denise Fike and Paul Sperling.

"Coincidentally, Ms. Fike feels a very strong bonding with Jefferson. She credits our emergency staff with saving her child's life in a choking incident a few years ago," Ms. Milner explains.

Other Projects Under Way

While construction is being handled by outside contractors, Ms. Milner credits many Jefferson departments and employees for "pulling together to get things done," including Environmental Services, Facilities Planning, Maintenance and Telecommunications/DIS. The extensive projects mean "lots of Jefferson people really trying hard to get some difficult work done under deadline pressure."

In another project, new signage denoting the hospital's identity as part of the Jefferson Health System now appears on all Jefferson Hospital buildings as well as Main Line Health hospital buildings.