St. John's Hospital begins cardiac ICU project

HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield is undergoing a renovation to add a cardiac intensive care unit.

The renovation is one of four projects at St. John's either upcoming or underway as the hospital prepares for potential changes in health care delivery.

Patti Fischer, chief operating officer for St. John's, says the renovation began last month and is anticipated for completion by mid-January. It will result in 14 new beds with the option to add 10 more.

"This is part of Prairie Heart Institute and St. John's Hospital's larger strategic plan to remain the premier cardiovascular provider in Springfield and in the central Illinois region," Fischer said.

Dr. Greg Mishkel, executive medical director of Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's, says the project provides intenstive care and post-surgery recovery for cardiac patients and those undergoing cardiovascular surgery, vascular surgery and thoracic surgery.

"It's going to be a state-of-the-art facility," he said.

Mishkel adds that the project helps St. John's prepare for two potential changes to health care delivery. One is a repeal of a previously-passed measure that demanded changes in how medical providers are compensated for Medicare procedures. The second is a "cardiac bundling" program which would affect how hospitals are reimbursed for heart attack treatment, cardiac rehabilitation and open heart surgery. Mishkel says Springfield was chosen at random to participate in the program among 98 metropolitan areas across the U.S. The start of the program has been delayed to 2018, and it's unclear whether it will be implemented at all.

"We're preparing to move forward as if they’re in place," Mishkel said, referring to the bundles. "We believe we can streamline care to offer patients the right care at the right cost."

Got something to say?

Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!

Comments (0)
Add a Comment