Residents, city officials, patients, hospital brass and more are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Wishard hospital Dec. 7.
The state-of-the-art facility equipped with 315 inpatient beds, more than 200 exam rooms, a women’s health center and more couldn’t come fast enough.
“The infrastructure of the former hospital was shot; it was built in stages so many of the buildings were very old; it was hard to navigate; and it was hard to provide quality health care for individuals,” said Gregory Porter, vice president of external affairs for the Health and Hospital Corp., which oversees Wishard-Eskinazi Health, Midtown Mental Health and the Marion County Health Department. “Anytime you have to cancel surgery because of a busted water pipe, that’s pretty bad.”
Instead of spending millions in patching Wishard, the community voted in favor of building a new facility. All are excited for the new edifice that upon completion will be called The Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Eskenazi Health. The new effort is also one that has truly been built for the people and by the people.
With a shiny new building come modern upgrades that will allow the hospital to better treat patients. In fact, almost every aspect in the hospital, from artwork to lighting, is designed to be therapeutic, uplifting and promote wellness holistically.
New design features and incentives that are said to promote care include lots of glass that bring in natural light; comfortable, private rooms for all patients; fresh air pumped into the building hourly; artwork created by local, national and world-renowned artists; and a music therapy program among others.
“Hospitals can be isolating and stressful. We worked very hard to make this experience positive and hopeful for patients and their families – one that gives you the desire to be well,” said Matt Gutwein, president and CEO of Health & Hospital Corp.
The new hospital will also allow for better efficiency. Creative direction markers, hallways, elevators, offices and the parking garage are strategically placed so patients and family coming to the hospital can find their destination quickly.
Staff performance is also expected to increase due to improved logistics. Their grassroots ideas were implemented in the hospital design.
“We sought the involvement of literally hundreds of our doctors, nurses, therapists, you name it. We then took an old warehouse we owned and built mock ups of rooms and brought everybody back to tell us what worked and what didn’t – what they liked and what they didn’t like,” said Gutwein.
Wide doors, lifts, cutting edge equipment, and even the location of the patient’s personal bathroom are expected to aid in improved care. A larger ambulance bay, which can accommodate 14 vehicles, is located closer to the emergency room and is anticipated to help during typical emergencies and mass casualties.
Wishard-Eskenazi hospital is also environmentally responsible. It is the first LEED certified hospital in the U.S.; its grounds have an abundance of plant life; has groundswells that collect rainwater to be used to water plants; and there is a highly-touted sky farm that will grow produce to be served in the hospital.
“Our lights are on computers so they only go on the amount they need to. So if it’s a bright sunny day, the lights may not be on at all,” said Gutwein.
Porter, who in addition to working for the Health and Hospital Corp. is an Indiana state representative, says Wishard-Eskenazi Health is world-renowned for its local community primary care centers, being a teaching hospital, mental health care, trauma care, burn unit, senior care and labor and delivery program and will continue to provide affordable, excellent care.
Gutwein adds that goals for the new facility included patient and family friendliness; a great place to work for staff; community input; and aesthetically pleasing. Expectations for the new $754 million facility have been surpassed. The hospital is also on time and on budget.
“I still see patients and every new discussion starts with the new hospital. Our patients are thrilled,” laughed Lisa Harris, CEO and medical director for Wishard-Eskenazi Health. “(Administration and staff) can hardly wait either until the day we get to officially open our doors to the community and let them see their new public hospital.”
Other goals that have been exceeded are the hospital’s commitment to diversity. Barbara Holder, diversity manager for Eskenazi Health, created and implemented a diversity plan to ensure adequate participation by prime and sub-contractors in the construction of the hospital. Percentages include over 16 percent for minority businesses; over 8 percent for women business enterprises; and veteran owned businesses exceed 5 percent.
“Being in the role of diversity is always trying, but what made this process easier was the leadership. By Matt (Gutwein) being committed, that made it best in all situations,” said Holder.
Now that the hospital is almost complete, staff is preparing to move their operations to the new building. Low-risk patients will be sent to other hospitals and a special task force is being put in place to transport high-risk patients.
Wishard-Eskenazi Health went through great lengths to ensure the new facility was a true reflection of the community and when they open their doors in December, they hope Indianapolis will be pleased. Hospitals around the country are already contacting Wishard-Eskenazi Health to copy their plans and practices.
The property the current Wishard hospital is located on will go to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
For more information, visit eskenazihealth.org.
