Battle Creek Health System expansion will feature new surgical center and several other enhancements.

CONSTRUCTION WITH EXTRA CARE AT BATTLE CREEK HEALTH SYSTEM.

Project Overview

Name: Battle Creek Health System
Location: Battle Creek, Michigan
Project Type: Expansion & Renovation
Square Footage: 76,750 Expansion
28,950 Renovation

The mission at Battle Creek Health System is to provide exceptional patient care. And nothing is allowed to compromise that focus, even in the midst of a major construction project that will help make patient care even better for years to come. Protecting that high quality patient care is challenging to be sure; but fortunately Battle Creek Health System called upon its long relationship with CSM Group for help in meeting that challenge through a major expansion and renovation effort.

Minor surgery leads to major operating room improvements.

One of the main components of the renovation project involves the consolidation of two separate operating suites (in-patient and out-patient) into a surgical center with eight large, stateof- the-art operating rooms in one area, all equipped for current and future technology. This will lead to significant efficiencies in utilization of personnel and equipment, and seamless patient care. Hard walls will replace cubicles in recovery areas to improve patient privacy.

The project will allow for new technology and an enhanced sterile instrument processing area adjacent to the operating rooms. New locker and staff support rooms will also be located nearby.

Still another major component of the project will add significant capacity for Battle Creek Health System. Rising above the new Surgery Recovery area will be four entirely new floors devoted to inpatient care. Each floor will provide nearly 7,500 square feet of space and house 15 new private patient rooms, for a total of 60 new rooms in all.

Careful planning protects quality care.

The project required early and intense planning and coordination. The tight site presented constructability issues, and the efficient sequencing of construction events required precision in both spacing and timing.

The extensive health care experience of CSM Group and its relationship with BCHS allowed CSM's involvement to start nearly 21/2 years prior to actual construction. Working with the architect and owner through the programming and planning phases allowed CSM Group to provide critical input, permitting the project to proceed efficiently without a negative impact on the continuing hospital operations nearby.

For example, negative pressure fans and Fire-Marshall approved barriers permitted work to proceed in the construction area while existing operating rooms in the nearby occupied area were able to function normally.

Todd McDonald, CSM Project Executive, detailed some of the other unique challenges presented by the project.

"We had to create a temporary loading dock that would support the entire facility for well over a year. The scheduling was very intricate, so we developed options that permitted us to perform tasks that coincided with the owner's operations, with no time lost."

"At the start of the project, we worked with the owner and designers to coordinate mechanical and electrical components that would support surgical equipment that had not even been purchased yet."

Experience and planning pay off.

CSM Group's familiarity with these healthcare challenges has allowed the project to flow smoothly per plan, and the owners are impressed.

"I'm very comfortable with the team and their expertise. They've done a great job, and really minimized the disruption to staff, patients, and physicians," said Jeremy Evans, VP of Operations for Battle Creek Health System.

The project is planned for completion in the spring of 2007. McDonald is proud of the opportunity to have a hand in helping to enhance the great care and facilities in the community's health delivery system. And he's equally proud of the nearly 15-year relationship CSM Group has enjoyed with Battle Creek Health System.

"The opportunity to serve BCHS has been most rewarding; we're thankful for the relationship, and we work hard to ensure we deserve it," McDonald said.