In 2012, facing constraints with capacity and beds, Lutheran Hospital opened its 5th floor expansion to increase their scope and operational capabilities. With Weigand serving as the construction manager, this $42.3 million dollar job was built with the consideration of privacy for cardiac and intensive care patients staying at the facility. This move helped to not only provide much needed relief for Lutheran’s growing list of patients, but it also gave way to designing a more efficient space that would serve the needs of the hospital for years to come.
This 60,000 square foot, vertical project brought some additional accommodation areas, including:
The innovation to private rooms was a unique one, switching from having multiple patients share rooms during recovery and treatment periods.
“Healthcare needs have continued to change and grow. People really don’t like [shared rooms] as much anymore, and I think having the private rooms can lead to better care.” – Karen Springer, COO (Former), Lutheran Hospital
An unusual part of this project was the charge to keep public and patient access to the hospital virtually unchanged during construction. In order to accomplish this, a crane was erected inside an existing interior stairwell, rising through the roof to aid material transport from the ground to the construction site. By doing this, our crews were able to move components and equipment without causing disruption, violating sanitation standards, and interfering with day-to-day hospital operations.
The construction project not only bolstered the local area’s healthcare system, but it also brought a considerable number of jobs, especially in a time when the city’s economy was experiencing several setbacks and challenges.
