ATLANTA, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognized as the 12th largest cardiovascular program in the country, Saint Joseph's Hospital is undertaking one of the largest hospital expansion programs in Georgia's history, capitalizing on the hospital's unique and nationally-renowned combination of clinical excellence and compassionate care.
The multi-faceted, five-year plan includes facilities expansion, a strategic global alliance with Siemens Medical Solutions, development of The Kenneth E. Thomas Center for Nursing Excellence, and continued leadership in clinical research.
"Saint Joseph's holds a unique position in health care as a hospital with Catholic roots, community access, outstanding physicians and programs, the important strategic alliance and active involvement in clinical research," says Bonnie Phipps, president and CEO of Saint Joseph's Health System. "With our nationally-recognized clinicians and programs, our unsurpassed compassionate care and this alliance, we are taking steps to provide patients with programs and services unavailable anywhere else."
Expanding Services
Saint Joseph's $311 million expansion is slated to take place over the next five years and includes an ongoing facilities project increasing inpatient capacity to 410 beds, construction of a new five-story, 100,000 sq.ft. clinical services building to house The Heart and Vascular Institutes, and construction of a 100 foot tall glass and steel bell tower, with a reflection garden that will serve as the new campus' centerpiece, dedicated to Antonella and Uberto Visconti di Modrone, long time supporters of Saint Joseph's. The project will be funded using a combination of cash reserves, bonds, and philanthropic contributions.
Under the leadership of Martha C. Taylor, RN, MSN, president of The Heart and Vascular Institutes who recently joined Saint Joseph's Hospital after ten years as operating officer at the Duke Heart Center, The Heart and Vascular Institutes consolidates many of Saint Joseph's heart and vascular services to provide the most comprehensive continuum of care for patients. The Heart and Vascular Institutes will feature a diagnostic center housing the most advanced technologies from Siemens Medical Solutions, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) systems. In addition, the Institutes will provide a wide range of cardiac and vascular outpatient and disease management services under one roof, improving patient access and treatment coordination. Services will include non-invasive imaging, multispecialty disease management clinics, a congestive heart failure clinic and transplant services, cardiac and vascular rehabilitation, genomics clinics, a diabetes care center, as well as research and professional and community education facilities.
Siemens Strategic Alliance
Saint Joseph's and Siemens Medical Solutions have formed a strategic alliance that establishes the hospital as a Global Center of Excellence, one of only a select handful worldwide. The seven-year alliance ensures Saint Joseph's access to the most advanced diagnostic and imaging technologies and information technology solutions as they become available. These include:
* SOMATOM Sensation Cardiac 64 CT - the world's first and fastest 64-
slice CT system provides unprecedented image quality. Saint Joseph's
is the first hospital in Atlanta to have acquired the advanced
technology for specific cardiac applications.
* MAGNETOM Avanto(TM) MRI - the world's first product to incorporate
Siemens revolutionary Total Imaging Matrix (Tim(R)) technology.
Patient-friendly features of the MAGNETOM Avanto include faster
scanning time, a 97 percent reduction in acoustic noise and feet-first
exams, which decrease anxiety in patients who are uncomfortable in
small places.
* AXIOM Artis dFC Magnetic Navigation System(TM) - the world's first
interventional cardiac and electrophysiology magnetic catheter
navigation system that combines Siemens most advanced digital
fluoroscopic imaging system with Stereotaxis, Inc.'s Niobe(R) Magnetic
Navigation system to direct and digitally control medical devices
through the vessels and chambers of the heart. This provides
physicians with greater precision and movement and helps reduce
radiation exposure for both the clinician and the patient.
* SOARIAN(R) IT Workflow Solutions - a state-of-the-art system that is
engineered to integrate clinical, administrative, and financial
information across the entire health facility. Designed with
sophisticated workflow technology, Soarian helps manage not just
transactions and data, but the process of healthcare to promote
standardization, eliminate manual processes, give physicians the
information they need to make more informed decisions, and support
administrative efforts to measure performance and improve clinical and
financial operations.
"This strategic alliance is based on shared values and principals for providing world class care and services to patients and customers," Tom McCausland, president of Siemens Medical Solutions, U.S.A. "Clinicians at Saint Joseph's will have access to the most advanced treatment modalities and clinical applications, bringing the very best results across the continuum of patient care."
In addition, Saint Joseph's clinicians will collaborate with Siemens' research and development teams, as well as with other Centers of Excellence around the world, to develop clinical best practices, diagnostic and information technology (IT) solutions. This includes the opportunity to collaborate with peers through the development of a global information database for information on international disease trends. The technology portion of the agreement is valued at approximately $75 million, but the total value of the relationship far exceeds that given the priceless value of the collaboration, research and development results.
"Our physicians are eager to start working with peers from around the world, sharing our best practices to develop new procedures which can benefit patients immediately," says Phipps. "The collaborative nature of this international partner alliance is what makes this opportunity so unique," she says.
Nursing Excellence
The Kenneth E. Thomas Center for Nursing Excellence was founded in the name of pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon, Kenneth E. Thomas and builds on Saint Joseph's leadership role as a one of only three hospitals in the nation to be a three-time recipient of the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services, considered the gold standard of nursing care. This designation sets Saint Joseph's apart as one of the top one percent of nursing programs internationally. Dr. Thomas' personal legacy of professional excellence and commitment is exemplified in the goals of the Nursing Center that will contribute to the nursing profession at Saint Joseph's and other health care facilities across the nation by providing:
* research to determine and assure evidence based nursing practices to
improve patient outcomes;
* professional development through mentoring and extern programs;
* global nursing leadership demonstrated by consultation on shared
governance, development of clinical advancement programs, clinical
nursing practice, performance improvement and patient safety;
* advocacy to promote nursing satisfaction and retention through an
environment of professional practice; and
* public health policy regarding nursing and health care issues.
Translational Research
Saint Joseph's Research Institute (SJRI) is a leader in translational, or bench to bedside, clinical research and medicine. In conjunction with its subsidiary, the American Cardiovascular Research Institute, SJRI has gathered leading physicians, scientists, industry partners, and a collaborative network of international experts to stand as one of the nation's leaders in translational research. Thanks to the unique relationship that SJRI has with researchers, industry partners and hospitals across the nation and around the world, this approach to medical research carries the promise of translating exciting scientific discoveries into real-world treatments and technologies that are saving lives immediately. Results have been successfully demonstrated with Saint Joseph's patients using angiogenesis, autologous bone marrow cell therapy for heart failure, autologous connective tissue cells to treat cardiac rhythm disorders, and cardiothoracic and vascular tissue engineering. Saint Joseph's currently is involved in approximately 400 clinical trials for cardiac, vascular, orthopaedic and cancer therapies.
"Saint Joseph's is a unique and remarkable institution," says Phipps. "This expansion and alliance with Siemens will help us develop best medical practices and provide enhanced services for cardiac, vascular, orthopaedic and cancer patients sooner and more effectively."
About Saint Joseph's
Celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, Saint Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1880 and is Atlanta's oldest hospital. Today, the 360-bed, acute-care hospital is recognized as one of the top specialty-referral hospitals in the Southeast with the 12th largest cardiovascular program in the U.S.
Saint Joseph's has received numerous awards including designation for 10 consecutive years with the distinguished Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center; a HealthGrades rating as a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence, ranking it the top five percent of hospitals in the country; a Solucient's 100 Top Hospitals(R) for Cardiovascular care for five times and a 100 Top Hospitals(R) for Orthopaedic care. Saint Joseph's is the only Atlanta hospital named by J.D. Power and Associates as a Distinguished Hospital for Service Excellence, for an outstanding patient experience; and is one of only 10 non-teaching hospitals in the country to earn HealthGrades' distinction as a Distinguished Hospital for Patient Safety. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Joseph's is a member of Catholic Health East.
More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.stjosephsatlanta.org/ .
About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.07 billion EUR, orders of 8.12 billion EUR and group profit of 1.05 billion EUR for fiscal 2004. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom .
Lynn Peterson, Media Relations Office (404) 851-5849 Pager (404) 722-4355 lpeterson@sjha.org
Saint Joseph's HospitalCONTACT: Lynn Peterson, Media Relations of Saint Joseph's,+1-404-851-5849, or pager, +1-404-722-4355, or lpeterson@sjha.org