Digital Hospital Under Construction in NJ
Virtua Health unveiled plans to build the hospital of the future, a completely digital facility with all private rooms. The 660,000 square-foot facility will be constructed in Vorhees, New Jersey on a 125 acre campus. The campus will include an outpatient facility and is sufficiently large for future expansion, as described in a press release.
The new inpatient hospital will house 376 patient beds. Each room will provide direct views of the extensive campus landscaping, separate entrances and “environments” for patients based on their conditions, family zones to provide adequate space for loved ones to be involved in the care giving process, and brand new equipment.
Other plans for the facility include the incorporation of information technology tools to streamline care and maximize the opportunities to improve patient safety. This method will also be employed to communicate between and among departments. Operating rooms and patient rooms alike will have cameras installed to facilitate telemedicine. Patient rooms will include on-demand entertainment and internet access.
Adjacent to the hospital will be an all new ambulatory care center which is being built and financed by Frauenshuh HealthCare Real Estate Solutions. The facility will lease space to Virtua.
The new hospital is replacing a facility built in 1973. Admissions at that time were around 3,000 patients annually. Last year, over 24,000 patients were admitted to the hospital. New construction will start in January 2008 and should be finish in approximately three years.
November 7, 2007 Related topics: Facilities, Trends, Corporate Financials