St. David's South Austin Hospital Announces $72-Million Facility Expansion

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- St. David's South Austin Hospital today announced a $72-million capital investment for a renovation and expansion project to begin in April 2010. The expansion will increase the hospital by three floors, more than 100,000 square feet and 25 percent more beds.

In addition to facility improvements, St. David's South Austin Hospital announced that it will be renamed St. David's South Austin Medical Center, effective immediately.

"Since this hospital was founded more than 25 years ago, it has grown from a community hospital to a thriving medical center serving a broad geography," Brett Matens, interim chief executive officer of St. David's South Austin Medical Center, said. "Our new name will better identify the hospital's current and future services to the community."

Research indicates that consumers feel the new name is a better fit for this facility, as the hospital has evolved from a community hospital into a comprehensive medical center that serves an entire region.

"The expansion will enhance our current capabilities by providing superior accommodations for patients and their families," Matens said. "As the region grows, it is important to have more physical space to serve our rapidly expanding region."

Plans to expand and renovate the hospital include:

• Clinical improvements:  A new three-story patient tower with one floor dedicated to universal beds for critical care; an expanded, dedicated women's services area, including a new nursery and Level II nursery;  completely renovated surgical suites, including a new operating room for general surgery, and new operating rooms dedicated to neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery; and a new post-anesthesia care unit (PACU).
• Hospitality upgrades:  A new family waiting area outside of the nurseries, more parking, and additional larger-sized rooms for extended stays or patients with large families.
• Community resource renovations: An auditorium that can also be used as a community center; a renovated chapel; and a remodeled, state-of-the-art dining area with a full-service food court.

The expansion will necessitate an increase in nursing staff within the medical surgical areas and critical care departments, as well as an expected support staff increase in all ancillary areas.

In 2005, St. David's South Austin Hospital completed a $50-million expansion project that included 34 new medical surgical beds, a comprehensive cardiovascular center, an observation unit in the intensive care unit (ICU) and a 360-space parking garage. Additionally, the lobby registration area and physical therapy facilities were relocated to increase convenience for patients.  

The new expansion project is scheduled to break ground in April 2010, with an estimated completion date of April 2012.

Architectural plans and interior design for the tower will be led by Nashville-based Gould Turner Group, Inc. The garage expansion will be led by Nashville-based Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. The general contractor has not yet been named.

"This renovation highlights three of the hospital's top priorities--providing the highest quality healthcare, ensuring hospital stays are comfortable and convenient for patients and their families, and offering resources for the community," Matens said. "This investment underscores our commitment to growing alongside South Austin and the surrounding areas, providing an unmatched level of care."

St. David's South Austin Medical Center

St. David's South Austin Medical Center, located at 901 West Ben White Boulevard, is owned by St. David's HealthCare, one of the largest health systems in Texas. St. David's South Austin Medical Center is an acute care facility with 252 beds, offering a range of complex specialties and sub-specialties, including a comprehensive and nationally recognized cardiac program, full-service maternity and newborn care with Level I and II nurseries, and a thriving 24-hour emergency department, among others. In 2010, the medical center is launching a comprehensive $72-million renovation and expansion effort, to be completed in 2012. For more information, please visit StDavids.com.

SOURCE St. David's South Austin Medical Center