Tour Newest Earthquake Safe Hospital 'On Bearings' in Calif.: See Underground Technology of Seismic Foundation

BURLINGAME, Calif., March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan are a reminder of the crucial role hospitals have in helping communities recover after a disaster. Experts say California faces a similar earthquake threat. The newest, most earthquake-safe hospital in Northern California will open in Burlingame on May 15. Reporters are invited to tour the new Mills-Peninsula Medical Center tomorrow (March 15, 2011) and see first-hand the intricate seismic engineering of this Sutter Health network facility. Experts will also be available to discuss Sutter Health's other major construction efforts, exceeding $2 billion.

Sutter Health has more earthquake improvement obligations than any other health care organization in California. In 2010 alone, the not-for-profit network invested about $900 million to rebuild facilities and continue bringing lifesaving technology to the bedside. Since 2000, Sutter Health has invested more than $7 billion to build, replace and improve dozens of hospitals and physician care centers throughout Northern California, and to install modern technologies including an electronic health record.

All of Sutter Health's major construction projects underway use proven seismic engineering – some of which are already in use in Japan. Each approach is tailored to the unique needs of the building(s) and surrounding community. The designs allow for a building to not only withstand a severe earthquake but remain operational with minimal or no damage and disruption.

About Sutter Health

Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California's top-performing, highest quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women's and children's services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient safety technology.

For more information about the not-for-profit Sutter Health network, please visit

www.SutterHealth.org | www.Facebook.com/SutterHealth | www.YouTube.com/SutterHealth | www.twitter.com/sutterhealth

SOURCE Sutter Health