St. Joseph's Hospital - Hospital innovators 2007

Location: West Bend, WI Website: www.newstjosephs.com What they're doing: When St. Joseph's Hospital decided to build a new facility, it could have gone with a traditional, industrial-style hospital design--an approach that some say should go the way of the dodo bird. But board members and executives at the 80-bed hospital were ready to bet on something new, with features such standardized rooms for easy use by clinicians, nursing stations with wide visibility and filters and ultraviolet devices intended to generate healthier air. The hospital, part of regional health system SynergyHealth, transformed its plans for its new $55 million facility after taking a look at safety issues. Working with architectural firm Gresham Smith and Partners of Nashville, TN, which specialized in aerospace designs, then-CEO John Reiling developed plans based on lessons learned from both aerospace and hospital operations. He also visited outside manufacturers, such as General Electric's Lighting institute, to find lighting options best resembling natural light. The facility, which opened in August 2005, has gradually seen its infection rates, medication errors and fall-related injuries decrease. It also expects to cut lengths of stay substantially as time goes on. What's more, the new focus actually shaved construction costs, allowing the hospital to add a postpartum recovery room, diagnostic area and education center it hadn't originally planned for. Despite the new additions, the project still came in $500,000 under budget. While St. Joseph's new design isn't unique—at least 35 other hospitals are working along these lines—its willingness to commit to safety-centered designs at a time when few hospitals were doing so stands out. Just one more reminder that you don't have to be a giant to be an industry leader.