NorthShore Regional Medical Center has received approximately $7.7 million in additional capital funding for 2006 from its parent company to purchase advanced medical technology and fund patient care enhancements. This is in addition to $10 million previously committed for hospital refurbishment.
The additional capital will be used to upgrade the MRI unit, expand the laboratory, relocate and expand rehabilitation services, purchase radiology information systems, add digital mammography equipment, replace nuclear medicine cameras and purchase electronic charting and pharmacy systems. The $10 million previously committed for 2006 will fund extensive interior and exterior renovations to the facility.
“This is very positive news for NorthShore Regional Medical Center, our affiliated physicians and our patients,” said Alan R. Cason, Chief Executive Officer, NorthShore Regional Medical Center. “We recognize that ongoing capital investment in our hospitals is critical to making sure they remain competitive in their markets, and we’re committed to helping them bring advanced medical technology and enhanced patient care to our communities. This is a significant capital infusion – one that will help NorthShore Regional Medical Center fulfill our company-wide commitment to deliver high-quality care, and maintain its status as a place where our physicians are proud to refer their patients. We are investing these supplemental dollars in a way that meets the health care needs of the community and supports the requests of our affiliated physicians.”
Although these projects were slated for a future date in our capital plan, they are being accelerated to 2006 because of the positive impact we believe they will have on our patients and the role they will play in helping our employees and physicians provide better care and service. “By enhancing the technology in our imaging, laboratory, nuclear medicine, nursing and pharmacy areas, we are able to augment the quality care we currently provide to our patients,” states Cason. “Our rehabilitation services department will be relocated to an area of the facility that allows for a more convenient and comfortable experience for the patients and their family members. These projects are being implemented in concert with our overall hospital refurbishment and provide a wonderful advancement opportunity for this facility as we prepare for our next 20 years of service to this community.”
The $7.7 million earmarked for NorthShore Regional Medical Center is part of the enhanced capital investment that its parent company, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, is allocating to its core hospitals across the country in 2006. The company said it now expects capital spending this year to reach approximately $800 million, compared to the range of $550 to $650 million the company had previously committed to spend on capital improvements during 2006.