Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset has officially opened the top floor of its newly completed two-story vertical expansion.
Calling it the most significant construction on the RWJUH Somerset campus since its Steeplechase Cancer Center opened in 2007, the re-positioning project also includes a second floor reserved for future growth.
Construction on the 76,000-square-foot addition was completed late last year, and the top floor is now welcoming patients.
Featuring 45 all-private patient rooms, one half of which are designated for orthopedic and post-surgical patients — it also includes access to an on-site therapy gym. The remaining half, which will accommodate general medical-surgical patients, is set to open next week.
“With this expansion, two-thirds of the hospital’s medical and surgical patient rooms are now private,” Deirdre Blaus, interim chief administrative officer, RWJUH Somerset, said. “We understand that being in a hospital can be challenging, so we’ve designed these rooms with comfort in mind to help patients feel as at ease as possible. Each room features handicapped-accessible bathrooms and hotel-like amenities, including sleeper sofas for overnight family members. Additionally, workstations with USB ports allow patients to stay connected to work or loved ones. Our goal is to provide a healing environment that prioritizes greater privacy, healing, and recovery.”
The new floors are connected by a bridge to the third floor of the main hospital, with convenient access from the hospital’s operating facilities.
Future expansions will include a relocation of the hospital’s Geriatrics Department and the establishment of a Rapid Decision Unit to alleviate Emergency Department wait times.
