Bronson Methodist Hospital's North Campus is undergoing significant renovations, including Healthcare Plaza as shown here.

BRONSON BUILDS FOR TOMORROW'S PATIENTS WITHOUT DISRUPTING TODAY'S.

Project Overview

Name: Bronson Methodist Hospital North Campus
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Project Type: Renovation
Square Footage: 189,000

Many hospitals claim to “build their care around their patients,” but most are using the phrase figuratively. At Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, it’s taking on a more literal slant.

The hospital’s North Campus area is undergoing a significant renovation. Work includes infrastructure improvements, plus a major revamping and upgrade of Healthcare Plaza, in order to provide an aesthetic, functional, and user-friendly entranceway to several buildings that are part of the hospital complex in that area.

But the key component of the project is a large-scale renovation of the six-story Center Building that will turn into the new Bronson North Pavilion. And this transformation is taking place while several floors of the building remain occupied by patients, presenting an interesting challenge for Bronson and CSM Group, the Construction Management firm chosen for the project.

The birth of a new BirthPlace.

When the project is completed, the North Pavilion’s fourth and fifth floors will be the new home of the Bronson BirthPlace, with complete labor and delivery facilities. The fourth floor will also house the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The building’s first floor will feature medical offices for obstetricians, nurse midwives, perinatologists, neonatologists, and related healthcare providers, along with supporting laboratory and diagnostic services.

Future plans call for the relocation of the current Children’s Hospital and associated pediatric providers to the North Pavilion, allowing it to function as a dedicated infant and children’s hospital.

Expansion to meet expanding needs.

The $50 million project, which includes subsequent renovation of the 3rd floor of the West Pavilion to add 46 adult medical/surgical rooms, was spurred by a simple reality: in the last five years, Bronson has realized a 41 percent growth in inpatient discharges. That trend alone makes apparent the need to increase hospital capacity.

Why this increase when so much societal attention in recent years has been focused on healthier lifestyles and preventative checkups and behaviors? It’s not a surprise to Dan Kettenbeil, Bronson’s Director of Facilities Services & Security.

“It’s not only the aging population, although that’s part of it. It’s that more and more patients are choosing Bronson for the quality of care and service we provide. Having all private patient rooms is also a factor,” Kettenbeil said.

“The private rooms are more family-friendly, and they’ve been proven to reduce the rate of hospitalacquired infections.”

Close quarters require close communication.

Moving the BirthPlace and NICU to the North Pavilion will permit the hospital to add beds and increase capacity. But the construction process can be tricky with two floors full of patients on the premises. Bronson’s Adult Medical Unit occupies most of the third floor, and a long-term acute care hospital leases space on the second floor.

Jim Booden, Bronson Methodist Hospital Construction Manager, cited some of the issues that require special attention in this situation.

“Communication is critical, and CSM Group is great at that—they keep us on top of everything. We meet often (and bring the snacks) with the nurses on patient floors, so there are no surprises. Among other things, we’re putting in a whole new HVAC system for the building. But there can be absolutely no interruption to supply lines for oxygen and other medical gases. And tight control of sanitation and air-quality are obvious necessities,” Booden said.

“As for noise…we even gave all the patients digital music players and earphones,” he added with a grin.

Booden also said that CSM Group’s knowledge of the existing facility (from past projects) and its familiarity with the unique demands of healthcare construction provide a big advantage, and extra peace of mind on Bronson’s part.

A long term partnership.

Curt Peterson, Group VP of CSM Group, values his company’s relationship with Bronson, as well. “Our roots are with Bronson; they’re a long-term client,” Peterson said. “They’re good people who know what they’re doing, and treat everyone with respect. Their culture mirrors ours at CSM Group. We take great pride in that.”