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So What's Up, Doc?

Sutter Solano Medical Center

In our May/June 2005 issue, we looked at the future plans of a number of regional healthcare systems. Here’s an update:

Kaiser
Then: A new 188-bed hospital tower at the Vallejo Medical Center scheduled for completion mid-2008 will include operating rooms, radiology facilities, an emergency department and 60-bed rehabilitation center. The construction will incorporate “green approaches” using recycled and environmentally sensitive products and energy-efficient methods.
Now: The new 188-bed replacement hospital is now scheduled for completion fall 2009; all amenities are still in the plans.
Then: A new 150-bed, 340,000-square-foot medical center in Vacaville, adjacent to existing medical offices, is scheduled for completion spring 2009. Also planned is an additional office building to house medical specialists.
Now: The schedule is still on track for 2009 completion, and will also include an ambulatory surgery center.
Then: Plans call for an electronic medical records system (for instant access to records) to be implemented in 2006. Members will be able to access their secure medical record information via the Internet.
Now: The EMR system was implemented for members in 2006, providing them access to secure medical record information via the Internet. The complete system will be fully implemented with the opening of the new facilities.

Sutter Davis
Then: A 40,000-square-foot medical office building on site is scheduled for completion this summer.
Now: The medical office is open and houses ENT, surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, dermatology and cardiac rehabilitation.
Then: The medical office building adjacent to the hospital is being remodeled and will house diagnostic imaging services and a cardiac rehabilitation department. It is scheduled for completion in 2008.
Now: The medical office building renovation adjacent to the hospital opened in fall 2006 with a new state-of-the-art imaging center and infusion center/oncology, and renovated departments for orthopaedics, lab services, family medicine, sports medicine, occupational health, urgent care, women’s health and pediatrics.
Then: An expansion of the emergency department will add treatment bays and upgrade triage and waiting areas. An expanding surgery center will add more pre- and post-op rooms, private consultation room and expanded waiting area. Expanding clinical laboratory.
Now: Construction is under way to complete the emergency, lab and surgery expansions by the 2008 timeline.

Sutter Solano
Then: A new Cancer Center in Vallejo will offer community-based care with a state-of-the-art radiation oncology department, chemotherapy suites, a cancer resource center and library, clinical trials and complementary medicine.
Now: The Sutter Solano Cancer Center opened in December 2005 and has garnered kudos from patients for not only its capable medicine—including the facility’s centerpiece, the new linear accelerator with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), one of the more advanced treatments for cancer patients—but its serene, calming environment in which patients and family members can relax.
Then: Emergency room renovations and expansion will include new triage areas and treatment rooms, a renovation of the lobby and a new endoscopy suite. Scheduled for completion at the end of the year.
Now: With the Emergency Department Services remodel came four additional treatment rooms, an expanded triage area and a new radiology room. A new endoscopy suite was opened to provide increased accessibility for patients and staff. The remodeled hospital lobby now features two areas designated for emergency waiting and registration, as well as a soothing water wall and artwork. The new Outpatient Ambulatory Services department will be utilized as a preparation area for patients presenting for outpatient procedures.

Queen of the Valley Hospital
(St. Joseph Health System)
Then: A 59,000-square-foot Wellness Center in Napa will house outpatient services, including physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, the breast center and the diabetes wellness program, and will allow space for development of new programs such as cancer rehabilitation and individualized exercise programs.
Now: The Wellness Center opened in July 2006 and includes, as planned, several clinical programs as well as Synergy Medical Fitness, the anticipated medical fitness center.

St. Helena Hospital
(Adventist Health)
Then: Phase 1 of a campus replacement project will add a cancer diagnostic and treatment center and outpatient surgery center. Scheduled for completion 2008. Entire rebuilding project scheduled for completion 2030.
Now: Phase I will break ground in August 2007, and is currently scheduled for completion in 2009. The hospital has raised more than half of the funds necessary, and the 2030 completion date is still in sight.

NorthBay Healthcare
Then: An expanded critical care unit at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield is scheduled for completion this summer.
Now: The critical care unit includes 16 beds and the latest medical technology.
Then: Plans call for a breast health program in Fairfield this summer.
Now: NorthBay Healthcare offers one of the more advanced breast health program in the area including breast MRIs, a breast surgeon and advanced cancer treatment services. MRI-assisted biopsies will be added by fall.
Then: A new outpatient center on the VacaValley Hospital campus is scheduled for 2006/2007.
Now: The state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center is scheduled to open on the VacaValley campus in August 2007.

Woodland Healthcare (CHW)
Then: A new 13,000-square-foot clinic in Davis scheduled for completion this fall will offer convenient access from Dixon and Winters, and will provide more office space for primary care physicians and expanded evening and weekend hours.
Now: The new medical office opened in December 2005 and houses eight medical providers, an on-site laboratory and imaging services.
Then: A 6,000-square-foot medical office scheduled for completion in 2007 at the main campus will house primary care physicians, subspecialties and surgeons.
Now: Construction is underway on a 58,000-square-foot medical office to house primary care and specialty physicians, an on-site laboratory, imaging services and pharmacy. The state-of-the-art building
is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008.
Then: A new imaging center to be built at the main campus will include digital CT, MRI and ultrasound services. Scheduled for completion early 2006.
Now: The Advanced Imaging Center was completed in February 2007. Imaging services are completely digital. Aside from a 16-slice CT scan, MRI, ultrasound and digital mammography, Woodland Healthcare also hosts a mobile PET/CT scan for the latest in cancer detection.
Then: Renovations to the medical-surgical unit and emergency room are scheduled for completion in 2007.
Now: Patient rooms now have the ability to flex from semi-private to private rooms. The Emergency Department has been outfitted with a central monitoring system and medication dispensing technology for added patient safety.
Then: Implementation of electronic medical records in all clinics should be complete by the end of the year.
Now: The Electronic Medical Records system (EMR) is available in all medical exam rooms. EMR adds to patient safety, as the system is capable of detecting possible drug interactions based on the list of medications on a patient’s records.

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