Swedish Medical Center to Spend $50 Million on Neuroscience Hospital Expansion

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Swedish Medical Center, the region's leading stroke and neuroscience center, is pleased to announce it is moving forward on a $50 million expansion.  In an effort to further align its neuroscience services; this is the second largest expansion in recent Swedish history.  Highlights include:

• Adding needed critical care beds and medical surgical beds, both of which maintain high occupancy levels today.
• Adding 65,000 square feet to the campus and renovating 28,000 square feet.
• Creating 39 incremental beds that will be dedicated to our neuroscience program.
• Constructing two additional floors to our south tower resulting in new neuroscience, medical and surgical beds.
• Constructing a new neurocritical care unit to address more significant patient needs and volume.
• Redesigning a new lobby and entrance to the neuroscience portion of the hospital, creating a workspace for our neuroscience program to collaborate more efficiently.
• Purchasing an additional outpatient 3T MRI for advanced neurological imaging.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140402/PH96180LOGO 

"We are extremely excited for this investment by HealthONE in our neuroscience program," said Mary White, President and CEO Swedish Medical Center.  "We truly are the region's number one neuroscience and spine program, and this expansion ensures we continue down that path. We plan to continue having our community say, Take me to Swedish!"

Swedish Medical Center has long been the region's leader in neurosciences, as evidenced by these accomplishments and designations:

• The first hospital in the Rocky Mountain region to receive a Primary Stroke Center designation from the Joint Commission in 2004.
• In 2013 Swedish became the first hospital in the region to earn the Comprehensive Stroke Center designation from the Joint Commission.
• Also in 2013, Swedish received the "Get with the Guidelines" GOLD Stroke designation from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.
• Swedish has the fastest growing Deep Brain Stimulation program in the region.
• Finally, Swedish Medical Center treats MORE strokes, FASTER:
• Door to Neurology Evaluation: 7.5 minutes compared to the national goal of 20 minutes
• Door to CT First Slice: 17 minutes compared to the national goal of 25 minutes
• Door to IV t-PA started: 40.8 minutes compared to the national average of 60 minutes or less
• 26% of patients taken to Swedish receive IV t-PA compared to the national average of 5%

Because of his dedication to stroke care, program quality and growth at Swedish and throughout the region, Chris Fanale, M.D. has been named the chair of the neuro hospital planning committee.

"This expansion will add much needed beds, infrastructure and technology to our campus," said Fanale. "We are ensuring a foundation for the many years of growth ahead."

Additionally what sets Swedish Medical Center apart from other neuroscience programs in the region is their highly recognized Acute Inpatient Rehab Facility, relationship with HealthONE's Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, and the shared campus and collaboration with two renowned neuroscience institutions including Craig Hospital and the Colorado Neurological Institute.

Swedish Medical Center's Acute Inpatient Rehab Facility is ranked among the top facilities in the country. It was recently named "Top Performer" by the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation. Swedish Acute Rehab is an important part of the pathway to recovery, celebrating milestones and regaining independence for neurological patients.

Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital was the first licensed Acute Rehab Hospital in the state and is a part of the HealthONE family of hospitals. With over 45 years of experience, Spalding offers clinical expertise in treating traumatic brain injury patients.

Swedish Medical Center is fortunate to have the campus of Craig Hospital adjacent to its own. Craig has been a world-renowned specialty neurorehabilitation hospital for patients with spinal cord injury and brain injury since 1956.

Colorado Neurological Institute (CNI) is a 25-year-old not-for-profit that currently facilitates 50 clinical trials, provides care coordination to outpatients with neurological conditions, and operates an outpatient rehab program. 

Construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 and is expected to take place over approximately three years.

Read more news from the Swedish Medical Center.

Media Contact: Audra Mincey 
Phone: 303.788.5920

SOURCE Swedish Medical Center