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Dec 3, 2013, 2:15pm CST
Methodist Healthcare plans major expansion of Medical Center hospitals
W. Scott Bailey
Reporter/Project Coordinator- San Antonio Business Journal
Methodist Healthcare expects to spend about $250 million to expand two of its facilities — Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital.
Both hospitals are located in the South Texas Medical Center. Work on the project will begin next year.
Methodist officials say the hospital system will gain more than 445,000 additional square feet of space as a result of the expansion, which was necessitated by increasing demand for services in the region.
“Our landmark expansion project includes significant upgrades in patient areas, including cancer and heart services, obstetrics, general surgery, neurosurgery, emergency care and pediatric services,” says Gay Nord, CEO of Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital. She adds that this will be the “largest construction project our organization has ever undertaken.”
Methodist plans to expand the Central Tower at Methodist Hospital, creating a new entrance to improve access for patients, particularly expectant mothers. The organization also plans to expand the adult emergency department at Methodist Hospital to accommodate 48 treatment rooms, as well as add more space for surgical pre-operating and post-operating services.
One of the key elements of the planned expansion is a new, six-story patient-care tower and new entrance for Methodist Children’s Hospital, which houses one of the busiest children’s emergency departments in the country. Once work is completed, the Children’s Hospital’s emergency department will grow from 32 beds to 40.
Methodist officials say the Children’s Hospital’s newborn intensive care unit (NICU), one of the largest in the region, will be expanded from 78 beds to 94.
The expansion plan also includes a new, nine-story parking garage that will provide patient access to surgical suites.
“This investment in our city not only is an economic generator, but also a commitment that will take health care to a higher level for the families of San Antonio and South Texas,” says San Antonio City Councilman Ron Nirenberg, whose district includes the Medical Center area.
Methodist Hospital opened in 1963 with 175 beds and a staff of 272 personnel. Today, the hospital has 882 beds and employs 3,538 workers.
Methodist Children’s Hospital opened in 1998 as the only such facility of its kind in the region. It provides services for youth from across South, Central and West Texas.