Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset on Monday unveiled plans for a two-story, 76,600-square-foot expansion above the hospital’s existing Orthopedics Pavilion and Emergency Department building.
The new Orthopedic Center of Excellence will include 35 fully private patient rooms and a state-of-the-art rehab gym for orthopedic patients, as well as an ED Rapid Decision Unit.
“The Orthopedic Center of Excellence will create a preeminent facility to house all of our orthopedic patients in one area, further enhancing the care patients experience from our nationally recognized program. These enhancements will continue to make us a premier destination in the region for orthopedic care,” said Tony Cava, CEO and president of RWJUH Somerset. “The benefits of this expansion project will be felt by patients, their families and staff across the hospital, as it will enable us to enhance privacy and safety throughout the facility. Additionally, the new space will facilitate future growth opportunities as we continue to evolve with the health care needs of our local community.”
Construction on the expansion project is slated to begin in summer 2022.
RWJUH said joint surgery patients will be able to receive the highest quality pre- and post-operative care close to home, eliminating the need for them to travel for surgery and rehabilitation. Patients will experience privacy and comfort through 35 furnished private inpatient rooms that feature amenities such as convertible sleeper sofas, USB ports and work services and a state-of-the-art rehabilitation gym.
The expansion will also include a 10-room Rapid Decision Unit for RWJUH Somerset’s ED. Patients who require additional observation or are waiting for test results will be able to occupy these rooms, helping reduce wait times in the ED.
The new Orthopedics Center of Excellence will also allow RWJUH Somerset to convert the majority of the hospital’s existing patient rooms into fully private rooms. New patient rooms will feature larger windows for staff to observe patients reducing disruptions and exposure to enhance patient healing, safety and the overall care experience.
