Lawrence General’s New Surgical Center

Lawrence General Hospital and E4H MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health, recently celebrated the official opening of the hospital’s expanded and renovated surgical space with a building dedication ceremony. The Santagati Center takes its name from Richard and Marilyn Santagati, Lawrence natives and longtime supporters of the hospital. In attendance were Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, as well as Dianne Anderson, President and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital and many donors to the project. Lawrence General, E4H, and construction company Bond Brothers Inc. broke ground in April 2015 and completed the project within the timeline and budget

The $56 million project consists of a new 46,000-square-foot surgical building and 15,000-square-foot renovation to the existing Day Surgery and Pre-Admission Testing departments. The Santagati Center will feature seven new operating rooms with state of the art technology required for more complex surgical procedures. The largest room is a hybrid operating room that will allow for high quality imaging and interventional radiology services to be performed during procedures.

“Key to our success was the hospital staffs’ commitment to collaborating with us on essential design features they desired for both patient care and their own work spaces,” said Dan Morris, Partner, E4H. “With staff input and our Smart Facility Design we were able to maximize the investment to create a master facility plan that meets the needs of today’s patients and staff – but will also serve the hospital well into the future.”

“This beautiful new facility replaces operating rooms that have stood this hospital and the community in good stead for fifty years,” observed Dianne J. Anderson, RN, president and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. “Our surgeons and surgical staff will now have a space that supports the newest surgical technology, making care more efficient, safer and keeping it closer to home. This hospital is positioned now to support the evolving needs of our patients and our surgeons for many years to come.’

Critical to the planning process, E4H worked with Lawrence General Hospital to conduct an assessment of existing conditions and assets and provided master planning services to expand the hospital’s facilities. Beginning in November 2014, E4H worked extensively with hospital staff utilizing collocation and design development efforts. Focus groups provided valuable feedback to identify and address the needs of the departmental space program, resulting in an improved Surgical Services Department that is completely inclusive within the hospital. The remodeled and newly constructed buildings flow seamlessly, allowing for improved way-finding and providing an upgraded patient experience.

Additional Renovations
In line with the growing desire for single patient rooms seen in hospitals across the U.S., inpatient renovations created an inpatient unit with nine single patient rooms. Each private room incorporates a family area to comfortably accommodate overnight guests.

E4H also assisted Lawrence General Hospital with relocating and upgrading the Intensive Care Unit. The upgrades to this space allow for greater access to private single patient rooms. Adjacent to the ICU, the existing Critical Care Unit received upgraded interior finishes allowing for a single cohesive department to be developed with the ICU. This renovation project was heavily phased to allow patient care to continue during construction. The hospital, architect, and construction manager paid close attention to ensure patient safety and well-being remained top priority. The completion of these projects freed up much needed space to begin the Day Surgery phase of the project, slated for completion in July 2017.