New high-tech SF hospital hoping to be considered more like a hotel
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - San Francisco will soon be home to one of the world's most advanced medical facilities. Sutter Health's California Pacific Medical Center on Van Ness Avenue is due to open in March
The new, $2.1 billion Van Ness hospital is not only one of the world's most advanced, but it was designed to be impervious to major earthquakes.
"So this building will not only withstand the earthquake but fully functional after the earthquake occurs," said Registered Nurse and Senior Project Manager Jim Benney.
To make sure that this hospital is up and running, even after a mega 8.0 earthquake, it has its entirely own power plant. It has its own water supply and sewage system. It is, in reality, an island unto itself and an island to save life now and after any major event.
"I'm excited to move into a facility that matches the world class care that we provide at CPMC," said senior nurse executive and registered nurse Jonathan Judy Del-Rosario.
On Thursday, staff from two other Sutter hospitals relocating at the new hospital are taking classes on the latest equipment, including power lifts that are easy on patients as well as employees. New, high tech vein finders can literally see through skin. They precisely locate veins so that repeated needle sticks are not necessary.
The 274 bed facility with 30 operating and procedure rooms is designed to be patient and employee friendly. Employees selected 755 pieces of art, all from Bay Area artists, to give the walls a look of color, light and beauty.
"Art just makes people feel good. It's a healing; has healing qualities," said Mr. Benney.
Everything, including the art, is totally washable to cut down on the spread of germs. Every employee has technology to assure they wash hands before entering and exiting patient rooms. The floors have family rooms, all with sweeping views, in comfortable, well-lit areas.
For children's floors, there’s "child life" rooms to give patients a place to go, mingle, play games, do homework or just be away from their beds.
"Our facility is very warm. It's inviting. It's a place where people can come to heal and feel good about that. It's very much like a hotel. We want to cater to our patients and our families to provide there with a place they want to come," said Del-Rosario.