Editor’s note: This article is by Lisa McCormack, of the Stowe Reporter, in which it was first published July 10, 2014.
Copley Hospital Inc. in Morrisville wants to build a $12.5 million surgical suite.
Officials at the Morrisville hospital say the overhaul is needed to give patients efficient service and more comfortable surroundings, and to meet national standards.
“Our patients deserve what is modern and meets their needs best,” said Mel Patashnick, CEO of Copley Health Systems, the umbrella company for the hospital. “We’re always very concerned about our patients’ experiences and our ability to be as efficient as possible.”
The plan is to replace all existing operating rooms and surgical support areas. The new surgical suite would be located off the main entrance, tucked in between the main lobby and the rehabilitation services building, and connecting to the back of outpatient services.
What’s now the surgery area will be used to expand the hospital’s birthing center and to provide space for its computer department.
The hospital has applied for a certificate of need from the Green Mountain Care Board; the board decides if the project is needed, or if other surgery options make it unnecessary.
The board’s review of applications typically takes a few months, said Donna Jerry, a health care administrator for the board.
Once the review is finished, the board will send any questions it has about the project to Copley, and the hospital has up to six months to respond.
After that, the board will hold a public hearing on the project, then make a decision.
Cramped space
Copley’s current surgical suite was built in 1979 and hasn’t been updated since.
Copley continuously upgrades equipment and technology, but lack of space has resulted in inefficiencies. The surgery rooms are cramped, and weren’t designed to accommodate modern surgical equipment and technology, Patashnick says.
“If we’re going to serve our patients well, we need to keep up with a more modern facility design,” he said. “You can’t work in the same quarters forever. Things change and you have to change with the times.”
The existing suite covers 7,000 square feet, with three surgical rooms and two rooms where minor surgeries are performed, along with procedures such as colonoscopies.
The new suite would have the same number of rooms, but would be two and a half times bigger, at 18,000 square feet.
“We’re simply replacing our existing facilities,” Patashnick said. “We’re not adding more surgical rooms or procedure rooms. We’re replacing it to modernize it and bring it up to current codes.”
The new suite will provide more space for the pre-op area, where patients are prepped for surgery, and a larger post-surgery recovery room. It will have a dedicated waiting area for families, and a consultation room for family members and physicians. Additionally, there would be more space to sterilize and store surgical equipment.
“These rooms support the function of the operating room,” Patashnick said. “Without adequate space, the efficiency doesn’t work that well. We need to modernize the facility so all of the support space works with the operating room space.”
The redesign will allow the hospital to meet national benchmarks for surgical suites.
“We do a remarkable job with what we have,” Patashnick said. “Our infection rates are among the lowest in the state. But you cannot indefinitely operate in space that continues to be too small. We do need this construction project to bring us up to current codes.”
The hospital surveys patients who go through surgery; generally, they are happy with the surgical services, but sometimes remark things it would be better if the space wasn’t so cramped, according to Patashnick.
Major revenue source
About 2,000 operations are performed at Copley each year, not including colonoscopies and minor surgical procedures, according to Patashnick.
Surgery categories include general, cataract, urological, obstetrical-gynecological and full-mouth oral surgery reconstruction.
The new suite won’t expand the types of surgery the hospital can offer, but it will help to relieve backlogs and improve workflow, Patashnick said.
“We’ll be able to do what we do more efficiently,” Patashnick said.
Copley’s 2014 operating budget is $57,502,182. While Patashnick declined to disclose exactly how much of those expenses are covered by revenue from surgeries, he did say the total is significant.
“For most hospitals, surgery is the probably the program that generates the most revenue,” Patashnick said. “It’s true for Copley and I think you’ll find it’s true for most hospitals. There are many services that don’t meet their costs. Surgery is important to keep those other services going.”
The estimated $12.5 million cost for the new surgical suite includes architectural designs, construction, and new surgical equipment.
Hospital officials hope to receive state approval within three to six months and start construction right away.
The hospital will continue to do surgery while the construction is under way, Patashnick said.
Patashnick estimates it will take 18 months to complete the work.
“We’re very excited about it,” Patashnick said. “We’re looking forward to it. As more is known, I think the community will respond very positively, too.”
