Community Health Network

Community Hospital South expansion project reaches first milestone

Final steel beam placed on surgery department expansion

The $130 million expansion of Community Hospital South reached its first milestone with the placing of the final beam on the surgery expansion. The hospital’s surgical expansion will include six state-of-the-art operating suites that will accommodate all types of surgery and the latest technologies, with additional space for future growth. The final beam on the steel structure was placed September 26. Learn more >>

Community Hospital South receives LEED® gold certification for ER expansion

LEED is the USGBC’s leading rating system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings. Learn more >>

Community Health Network breaks ground on $130 million expansion of Community Hospital South

State-of-the-art expansion project will meet demands of population growth; create 200 new life sciences positions

June 17, 2008--Community Health Network held a ceremonial groundbreaking today to kick off its $130 million expansion of Community Hospital South. Employees, community leaders and neighbors gathered outside the hospital as network leaders and a team of VIPs turned the first shovels of dirt to mark the beginning of the two-year construction period. The event also provided flood-ravaged Johnson County residents with some goods news to celebrate.

"Today marks an evolution of our network," said Mark Dixon, president and CEO of Community Hospitals of Indiana, Inc. "We opened a new Community Hospital North, a major expansion of our north hospital, last spring, due to the growth of Indianapolis’ north side and Hamilton County. South Central Indiana is experiencing its own growth spurt, so we are expanding to keep up with the demand of health care services."

During the past two years, inpatient volumes have increased 20% at Community Hospital South. In addition, White River Township in Johnson County is expected to have dramatic growth in the next five years. Population there is expected to grow to more than 40,000 by 2010. The Greenwood population is expected to grow by 9%.

"This expansion is a major investment in the health and well-being of the residents of south central Indiana," said Mike Blanchet, president of Community Hospital South. "We are pleased to offer more health care services, while continuing to provide an exceptional experience for our patients and families."

The expansion project also brought some good news to Johnson County residents who are cleaning up after major flooding destroyed homes and businesses in the area.

"It would be an understatement to say it’s been a challenging couple of weeks," said Christian Maslowski, executive director of the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce.

"Today is definitely a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy time for area businesses and residents; however, our community is strong and forward-thinking, as this expansion project shows, so we will successfully survive this disaster." Maslowski went on to say, "I am very proud that Community Health Network chose my market area to expand. With our growing population and a strong workforce, Johnson County will help make this project a great success."

One of the unique aspects of the expansion of Community Hospital South is the design input, provided by members of the staff and community. Patients, nurses and physicians helped design the new hospital, which will include a five-story patient tower with all-private rooms; six new operating suites; and convenient, expanded outpatient services located closer to home. Community has partnered with architects from RTKL of Dallas and engineers from BSA Life Structures of Indianapolis to design the 194,000-square-foot addition. Rollins Construction of Indianapolis will serve as the general contractor.

The new patient tower will increase hospital capacity from 110 beds to 150 all-private rooms. Additionally, all existing units will be renovated to match the design of the new facility. Decentralized nursing stations and comfortable family areas will enhance communication between caregivers, patients and families. Six next-generation surgical suites will accommodate multiple disciplines through innovative integration and advanced imaging capabilities. Patients who don’t require a hospital stay will have access to free-standing outpatient facilities for regular doctor visits.

A major theme of the project is a healing environment for patients. The facility will include aesthetically-pleasing natural light with large window space and nature-inspired design elements. With extra space to accommodate additional equipment, rooms adjust to the level of medical care required, minimizing the need to move patients from room to room. The new hospital will have ample waiting areas and comfortably accommodate family members, who are encouraged to be involved in the plan of care for their loved ones.

In addition to investing in the local community by hiring local businesses to oversee the project, the Next Evolution of Community Hospital South is expected to create 200 life sciences jobs on the south side of Indianapolis.

Construction of the surgical suites will be completed in late 2009, followed by the completion of the patient tower in mid 2010. Patients will have access to all medical facilities and services throughout the construction period.