ST. CHARLES, MO – What better way to bring in the New Year by celebrating the opening of a new, state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU)? That’s what’s happening from 5-8 p.m., January 4 on the second floor of SSM St. Joseph Health Center, 300 First Capitol Drive in St. Charles!
The new ICU has 14 private rooms with an additional five “step-down” beds nearby that are ICU compatible. Among the new features are:
- New, state-of-the-art monitoring system for each room
- Beds positioned for 360 degree patient access and availability
- Large, accessible restroom facilities in each room
- Alcoves with windows and computers outside each patient room for better monitoring and charting
- Direct access from the ICU family and visitor waiting area to the ICU entrance
The $4.6 million unit will be ready for patients after the January 4 blessing and dedication. It is located on the same floor of the hospital, but in a different area, so patients will be moved into the new area beginning on January 5. The previous ICU was built on a new wing of the hospital in 1983.
“We are thrilled to begin our new year with the opening of this beautiful, state-of-the-art unit,” says Gaspare Calvaruso, president of SSM St. Joseph Health Center. “This project was on the top of our list because we know how important it is to the health and welfare of St. Charles County residents.”
Calvaruso says the project is part of a $27.3 million capital improvement plan announced in February 2008. The next phase – renovation and redesign of the hospital’s emergency department – is slated to begin January 18.