PHCS Announces Plans for New Hospital Location
Nov 28, 2005
The Chairman of Princeton HealthCare System’s Board of Trustees, Jack Chamberlin, today announced the selection of the site for a state-of-the-art replacement facility for University Medical Center at Princeton (UMCP). The site is located at U.S. 1 and Plainsboro Road in Plainsboro, New Jersey.
Design
The new hospital will be designed with the following goals in mind: to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes; enhance patient satisfaction; provide convenience and privacy; and attain cost effectiveness. Physicians and members of the nursing staff will have increased opportunities for patient interaction due to operational efficiencies created by the state-of-the-art-designed hospital. Advances in healthcare technology and new approaches to eradicating disease are introduced every day. We are designing the new facility so that we will be well equipped and ready to implement these continuing, important changes as soon as they become available to patients. All patient rooms will be private and designed to enhance patient safety and comfort. In addition, the entire facility will be family friendly, designed to provide privacy and close access to patients. “The improvements are part of our continuing commitment to redefine care,” said Mr. Chamberlin.
UMCP will also participate in the Pebble Project, a joint research effort between The Center for Health Design, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, and selected healthcare providers, to measure how design can make a difference in the quality of care and the financial performance of an institution. The Pebble Project evaluates trends in patient care delivery and operational models. Healthcare organizations can use the information from research results to make evidence-based decisions moving forward.
The hospital will be designed with LEED concepts in mind. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED certification distinguishes buildings that meet the highest performance standards through environmentally conscious design, energy efficiency, resource conservation and dedication to indoor air quality, all designed to benefit patients and employees.
“By relocating to the Plainsboro Road site, we will be providing the residents of central New Jersey with a highly accessible medical complex that will offer cutting-edge technology combined with the superb patient-centered care that is the hallmark of Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS),” explained Mr. Chamberlin. “Over the past three years, our Board of Trustees has been integrally involved in our strategic planning process and the selection of a site for our new hospital. Today’s announcement is the culmination of this work, and we are very fortunate to have the support of our medical staff, our employees, and most importantly, the patients we serve as we embark on this important and ambitious project.”
Mayor Peter Cantu of Plainsboro stated, “We recognize the regional importance of the hospital, and we look forward to starting a fruitful and positive dialogue with hospital representatives to explore the issues and challenges that this project presents to Plainsboro.”
After considering 18 locations, Princeton HealthCare System President and CEO Barry Rabner confirmed that the site was chosen based on a number of criteria that included: its proximity to the current location (3 miles); ease of access; buildability; and strategic and market considerations.
“The Plainsboro Road site is in the center of our traditional service area and the majority of our patients. It is also an area with the fastest growing population in this region. This site offers us close proximity to hotels and conference centers, as well as the calm beauty of open space and a river,” said Mr. Rabner. “We are pleased that patients will be able to easily access the hospital from a number of directions and thoroughfares. There are four entry points to the campus, all of which are accessible from U.S. Route 1. In addition, doctors’ offices will be built on our campus to provide greater convenience to our patients.” The FMC Corporation Research Center is currently located on the site. FMC is working on an agreement with PHCS to lease space on the property where the company can continue its current research and affiliated activities.
Princeton HealthCare System, which includes University Medical Center at Princeton, Merwick Care Center, Princeton House Behavioral Health, Princeton Rehabilitation Services, Princeton HomeCare Services, University Medical Center at Princeton Surgical Center, Princeton HealthCare System Foundation and the Princeton Fitness and Wellness Center, plans to build an 800,000 square-foot medical facility (including medical office space) with the goal of expanding to 1.2 million square feet over time.
The integrated campus will house both the new 269-bed hospital and medical offices and will provide on-site inpatient/outpatient/physician/medical and surgical services.
Mr. Rabner estimates that once the site is approved for building, it will take approximately three years from groundbreaking to completion of the construction of the new medical campus. The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services will be involved in the approval process for the move. The Certificate of Need will be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Health on Wednesday, November 30, 2005.
Community Involvement
PHCS will hold a series of public meetings over the next several months to learn about community members’ interests in connection to the medical center. “These meetings will also help the community get to know PHCS, become more familiar with our objectives and provide feedback,” said Mr. Rabner. “We want our current and future patients to know that their input, as always, is important as plans are developed for the new medical center. We will seek input from our neighboring community on the design of our new hospital. Our goal is to be both the healthcare provider of choice, as well as a sensitive and responsive neighbor.”
The internationally recognized architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK), in conjunction with Hillier Architecture, has been retained to design the newcomplex that willcost $350 million, including land, construction, medical equipment and technology and all fees.
The design will be developed in partnership with the community and municipal leaders, PHCS physicians and staff during the next year. In addition, a team of engineers, surveyors, master planning and site planning consultants, and traffic consultants will engage in site review.
Princeton HealthCare System embarked on an extensive strategic planning process three years ago. The goal of the process was to determine the best way to continue to offer the highest degree of clinical excellence and medical care to the communities that PHCS has served since 1919.
During this time, local residents participated in dozens of community meetings to review options for expansion and renovation. The decision to relocate is a direct outgrowth of these discussions.
Details for the sale of the PHCS facilities, including University Medical Center at Princeton (Witherspoon campus), Merwick Care Center campus and the Franklin Avenue lot will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday, November 29, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at UMCP.
Princeton HealthCare System is a leading provider of healthcare services. A respected nonprofit, community teaching system, it offers compassionate care supported by advanced technologies and an outstanding medical staff. More than 99% of PHCS physicians have achieved board certification, the hallmark of professional excellence.