Saint Thomas Hospital Announces Multi-Year Modernization Project, Breaks Ground on New Inpatient Tower
<0> Saint Thomas HealthRebecca Climer, 615-284-6839 </0>
Saint Thomas Hospital has launched a multi-year modernization project that will improve patient-centered care by increasing patient access, and enhancing critical care and surgical services. The project will require renovation of existing space and construction of a new inpatient tower.
The initial phase will include renovations to 44 critical care rooms to increase square footage. Currently, the rooms are 195 square feet and will increase to 275 square feet, giving visitors and staff more adequate space to maneuver during a patients stay.
The project will bring additional enhancements to expand 13 of the hospital’s 28 operating rooms to 520 square feet each. These operating rooms were built in 1974 as part of the original construction of the hospital and the modernization will allow better utilization specifically for orthopedic procedures that require more space.
To symbolize the start of construction, Saint Thomas Hospital leaders broke ground yesterday evening on what is currently the back side of the campus in anticipation of a new inpatient tower that will essentially relocate the front of the hospital. Patient admitting and pre-admission testing will be moved from the front of the campus, off the Harding Road entrance, to the new inpatient tower with adjacent access to the Seton visitor parking garage.
“We want to make sure Saint Thomas Hospital remains a state-of-the-art facility for years to come,” said Dawn Rudolph, president and CEO of Saint Thomas Hospital. “This investment will make it easier for our patients to navigate within the hospital and will ensure we continue to be a leader in caring for adults in our community.”
The renovations and new construction are expected to be completed in early 2017 and construction will be in stages as to minimize disruption of care. Total cost for the project is $110 million. Construction manager for the project is Turner Construction with Freeman White serving as architect.
Saint Thomas Hospital is a member of Saint Thomas Health which is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care system with more than 6,500 associates. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the health care experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes – Baptist Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital and The Hospital for Spinal Surgery in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville – and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension Health, the largest Catholic, not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit or .