C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital celebrate one-year anniversary

University of Michigan's new hospitals created new jobs, get positive ratings from patients, families, faculty and staff

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital celebrate a milestone Tuesday: one full year of operation in a new $754 million building that's become a home for patients, families and staff.

On Tuesday, families and staff will mark the anniversary in the building's lobby, with a holiday tree lighting and the broadcast of a new video "This place feels like home." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HsaDaDgFCak#!

The video depicts the many ways that patients and families find a home away from home in the new hospitals, using the multiple amenities offered in the new building.

"We have found that the new and improved amenities in the hospitals have led to tremendous patient satisfaction," says Chris Dickinson, M.D. interim executive director for the hospital.

Patients and families report they appreciate the 348-bed building's private rooms and big windows, the new pediatric emergency room, an in-house Ronald McDonald house and improved lounges with laundry machines, on-demand food, internet and in-room movies.

"We've always had great doctors and nurses and caregivers, and now we have the facility to match," says Dickinson.

Patients reported a historical high overall rating of care, 91.4 percent positive, measured through September 2012. Ninety-three percent say they would recommend the hospitals to others, and nursing care categories were rated positive by 90 percent and above.

The hospitals have spurred job creation in mid-Michigan. The University of Michigan Health System has added 483 full-time equivalent positions and 32 new physicians in nine different pediatric specialties for the new hospitals.

The nursing staff is 23 percent bigger than it was in the old building, as 288 nursing FTEs were added.

Loree Collett, associate hospital director, said patient growth has been steady and remained on target.

"We have filled the beds that we planned to have filled, but still have room to grow, but also are able to accommodate all of the patients referred to us," she says.

The number of babies delivered has grown about 7 percent from the old building and the number of patients visiting the emergency department is up about 10 percent.

"We are pleased that our new building has helped us attract more patients, but most importantly more satisfied patients and families. We are very proud of the high patient satisfaction marks and the smooth transition made by our staff," she says.

The building has received outside recognition as well. The hospitals were awarded LEED® Silver certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. The certification is verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.

The hospitals incorporate many architecturally innovative and environmentally responsible features. The facility was built using strategies aimed at improving performance in many areas: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

The hospital also was ranked among the top 100 most innovative and inspiring infrastructure projects in the world by KPMG, the audit, tax and advisory firm.

KPMG International's second edition of the Infrastructure 100: World Cities Edition – a comprehensive report showcasing 100 of the world's most innovative and inspiring urban infrastructure projects included just 14 projects in the U.S.

"The one-year anniversary is a big day for us, and we have lots to celebrate. We have made a smooth transition and believe this state-of-the-art facility has accomplished what we hoped for: a compassionate environment for patients and their families and a place that allows our faculty to advance medicine," says Valerie Castle, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases.

SOURCE C.S. Mott Children's and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital