Allina Health Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center is projected to open in August. Construction, development, and engineering services company Mortenson provides some details about what lies within, stating that the new facility will “modernize surgical and critical care services, replacing outdated spaces and positioning the hospital for the next 50 years of healthcare innovation.”
One critical need of the project, which includes 620,000 square feet of new construction and 200,000 square feet of renovations, was “advanced operating rooms, enhancing employee retention, and reducing costs associated with care and maintenance.” All told, the 10-story facility will feature 30 operating rooms and 190 inpatient rooms, as well as “robotic supply distribution.” It’s also LEED-Silver Accredited for sustainability.
Mortenson stated that the design phase for the surgical and critical care center began during the pandemic.
Each of the facility’s 30 ORs are high air change operating rooms (HACH ORs), which “reduce maintenance costs, enhance infection control, and improve comfort for both patients and surgeons.” From the start of the design process, states Mortenson, the project team focused on patient safety and staff well-being, along with a focus on efficiency and function. “By applying lean construction principles and conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis—including updates to design strategies and equipment pricing—the team identified substantial advantages in infection control, patient safety, and operational efficiency,” states Mortenson.
Allina Health committed to using prefabricated modular wall systems that enable “rapid reconfiguration and adaptability for future care needs” in all patient care rooms, which Mortenson calls “a forward-thinking decision for adaptability for not just Allina Health but the industry as a whole.” Mortenson stated that it has been hosting tours for other health systems who are interested in this feature, and notes that “the team achieved numerous code requirements and variances, setting a precedent for flexible healthcare spaces.”
Local ABC affiliate KSTP-TV got an inside look at the facility earlier this month:
