North Oaks Medical Center Expansion Plans Reinstated

The North Oaks Board of Commissioners and Administration are pleased to announce that the first phase of expansion plans for North Oaks Medical Center has been reinstated and funded through a $99 million bond issuance.

Major components of the 200,000-square-foot, five-story hospital addition include 14 new operating room suites, an additional 12 outpatient Same Day Surgery beds and 67 new private inpatient rooms.

Sixteen of the new rooms have been designated for critical care patients, and 51 will be used as medical/surgical and telemetry beds. With the addition of the new rooms, the hospital’s inpatient bed count will increase to 326 and the private room ratio from 51% to 60%.

According to Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Michele Sutton, expansion phasing has been prioritized to maintain a financially responsible course of action. “With extremely high average occupancy rates, this first phase will alleviate our immediate need for additional inpatient beds to take care of our patients,” Sutton continues. “The new OR Suites and the additional 12 Same Day Surgery beds will address growing schedule demands for both emergent and elective surgical procedures.”

Infrastructure enhancements, such as a new central mechanical plant, medical gas farm, generator enclosure and helipad, along with site work and an entry tie-in to North Oaks Office Plaza also are components of the project. In addition, nearly 30,000 square feet of space adjoining the Emergency Department, along with 20,000 square feet of space adjoining the new operating room suites, will be shelled in for future expansion needs in phase two.

“Since December 2008, when the economic downturn caused us to delay our expansion plans, we have closely monitored the municipal bond market for more favorable conditions to fund and reinstate the project,” explains North Oaks Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Shirley Hsing. “Due to the significantly lower interest rate of 4.7 percent, we believe this is an opportune time to proceed with expansion.”

The expansion project represents $79 million in design and construction costs and a $20 million in equipment, furniture and fixture costs for a total community investment of $99 million. It has been designed by Washer Hill Lipscomb Cabaniss Architecture, LLC of Baton Rouge.

“The reinstatement of these expansion plans upholds our commitment to meeting the health care needs of the communities we serve,” affirms North Oaks President/Chief Executive Officer James E. Cathey Jr.

For More Information
• For a project fact sheet regarding the North Oaks Medical Center Expansion, click here or call North Oaks Marketing/Business Development at (985) 230-6647.

The new hospital tower will adjoin the Signature Building and Office Plaza on the
North Oaks Medical Center campus in Hammond.