News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maryland General Hospital Opens Doors to State-of-the-Art Expansion
(Baltimore, MD -February 16, 2010) Maryland General Hospital celebrated the completion of its new $57 million state-of-the-art Core Facilities Expansion Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Congressman Elijah Cummings and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined the hospital's Board and executive staff, other city and state officials, leadership from the University of Maryland Medical System, community leaders and healthcare professionals to mark the opening of the new facility, which increases the hospital's capacity to better serve the health care needs of the West Baltimore community.
The Core Facilities Expansion project, which broke ground in February 2008, includes the addition of a new 77,000 square foot facility that connects to the existing hospital structure and renovation to 15,534 square feet of space within the hospital. The new facility includes eight new operating suites with four specialty surgery rooms, an 18-bed intensive care unit (ICU), dedicated endoscopy and cystoscopy suites, a post anesthesia care unit (PACU)/ preoperative suite, a new pharmacy, expanded laboratory and future expansion space.
"Maryland General Hospital has been a cornerstone in West Baltimore for more than 125 years and our number one priority has always been to provide compassionate, high quality care for our patients," said Sylvia Smith Johnson, president and chief executive officer. "We have continually made major improvements to the hospital, however, this is the first new building constructed on our campus in 20 years. Everything about the new building - from the overall design to the services that will be provided - reflects and advances our continued commitment and investment in Baltimore and enhances our ability to provide outstanding care to even more patients."
Surgical services are at the center of the new building, with 30,000 square feet devoted to eight new large operating suites - including six that are fully integrated with the Stryker iSuite System, the most advanced operating room technology available today. Each room features state-of-the-art equipment such as the latest LED surgical lighting, touch screen control panels and monitors and cameras to enable procedures to be viewed from outside of the suites and provide educational opportunities for the medical staff.
"With the new operating rooms, we will continue to perform the various types of surgeries we currently offer and also have the potential to offer new surgical services to treat more complex conditions," said Dr. Michael Lilly, Chief of Surgery.
The new 18-bed ICU features larger rooms, an open design with windows looking out onto the corridor and ceiling mounted booms allowing for 330 degree access around all sides of a patient's bed to better facilitate the flow of care. Safety features include video surveillance to help medical staff closely monitor patients, bariatric lift systems and specially-equipped beds designed to prevent falls. The ICU also includes two isolation rooms, new admission areas and consultation and visitor waiting rooms for patient, family and staff meetings.
Designed by Hord Coplan Macht, a leading architecture firm specializing in health care projects, the building boasts efficiencies that facilitate optimum patient care while making effective use of the space. "The design incorporates input from MGH physicians, nurses and staff, ensuring that the facility combined comfort, safety and efficiency with the ability to provide state-of-the art medical treatment," noted Tim Barnhill, vice president at Hord Coplan Macht.
"The new building is a welcome addition and will greatly benefit the community," said Marilyn Carp, president of Maryland General's board of directors. "Maryland General continues to play a significant role in serving the medical needs of our community by providing comprehensive community health care and education programs."
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About Maryland General Hospital
Founded in 1881, Maryland General Hospital is a 213-bed urban community teaching hospital and part of the University of Maryland Medical System. Located in the heart of downtown Baltimore, the hospital provides healthcare in more than 30 specialties to approximately 110,000 patients annually through inpatient and outpatient care and free health screenings throughout the community.