What’s happening at Salem Medical Center?
Lots.
Since turning a new chapter on Feb. 1, 2019, we have been laying the foundation for a redesigned facility, new services, the re-opening of the Ambulatory Surgery Center. It all adds up to renewed enthusiasm in the mission of providing patient care in Salem County.
We are rapidly moving toward the realization of our vision. There are many things happening both in the facility and at state and regulatory agencies that point to a bright future well for our hospital and for our community.
Much of four-story hospital infrastructure has been constructed in phases over the years, starting with an initial building construction in 1950, with expansion phases completed in 1970, 1990 and 2006. The infrastructure and systems (such as HVAC and electrical) are in many cases original to the building phase.
Our existing facility is a patchwork of dated layouts, technologies and infrastructure. We have plans to modernize our facility, making it compliant with current codes and standards as well as giving it a new facelift. We just installed a 5-ton chiller and have plans to renovate our lobby.
Just this past week we have taken the first steps to renovate our Ambulatory Surgery Center. Demolition has already begun and we are bringing the ASC up to current codes/standards. This joint partnership between SMC and physicians will include three operating suites and one endoscopy room and seven pre-op, seven post-op and four stepdown chairs. Plans call for it to be open by the end of 2019.
We are making great progress on construction of our medical-surgical unit that will service patients with a secondary diagnosis of substance abuse. In addition to newly designed patient care rooms, the unit will include a seclusion room, consult rooms, activity and multipurpose rooms, group therapy and other support spaces. It is scheduled to open in September 2019.
In addition, construction continues on the fourth floor for our 26 bed Psychiatric Unit. Our goal is to have this operational by 2020.
So, even though you may not see things happening, there is much going on behind the scenes that will very shortly change the landscape at SMC.