Nazareth Hospital Unveils New Medical Office Building to Serve Community

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2004

PHILADELPHIA -- On September 21st, Nazareth Hospital and Rothman Institute Orthopaedics will host a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open a new medical office building. The establishment of the medical office building is a key step in solidifying the relationship between Rothman Institute Orthopaedics and Nazareth Hospital, focusing on the development of The Center for Orthopaedic Excellence at Nazareth Hospital.

"The opening of this state-of-the-art medical office building is possible because extraordinary people from both Nazareth Hospital and Rothman Institute Orthopaedics possess a common vision to provide exceptional healthcare to our community," stated Patricia DeAngelis, President and CEO of Nazareth Hospital. "On September 21st, that vision takes a major step towards becoming a reality. We are thrilled to provide our neighbors with a broad range of easily accessible, convenient services. This building is truly an expression of the dedication of Nazareth Hospital and Rothman Institute Orthopaedics to this community."

"Rothman Institute Orthopaedics prides itself on providing the highest quality care to its patients," said Rothman Institute Orthopaedics Chairman Richard H. Rothman, M.D., Ph.D. "Our partnership with Nazareth Hospital speaks to the shared attention to quality and excellence," added Rothman. These thoughts were echoed by William J. Hozack, M.D., Director for the Center for Orthopaedic Excellence at Nazareth Hospital. "The relationship of Rothman Institute Orthopaedics and Nazareth Hospital in this world-class facility will truly benefit the surrounding communities," stated Hozack.

In addition to the Rothman Institute Orthopaedics at Nazareth Hospital, the new building also houses a brand new MRI suite and on-site physical therapy services. The MRI scanner boasts the latest technology to perform a full range of MRI examinations, as well as highly specialized orthopaedic imaging. The 20,000 plus square foot facility will also include medical practices in cardiology, family practice and neurology, as well as a respiratory and sleep medicine institute.

Along with the latest diagnostic equipment, the medical office building was also built with several other technical and patient specific considerations in mind. First, the building encompasses the latest information technology, including wireless connectivity to the hospital. This enables the physicians to have remote access to test results, thus the enhancing the efficiency of patient care delivery. Next, the building itself was designed with the patient care experience in mind. "We carefully arranged and designed the building's exterior and interior to better accommodate the needs of patients. The building provides for easy access, patient safety and comfort, as well as trouble-free navigation throughout the building," said David Scheuermann, Principal of The Sheward Partnership, one of the nation's leading architectural firms with headquarters in Philadelphia.

Located across Holme Avenue from Nazareth Hospital's main campus, the medical office building is the newest response to increasing demand for hospital and physician services. In the past 18 months, Nazareth Hospital has expanded the facility to create increased capacity in response to community need. These enhancements include the construction of two new operating suites with the most advanced surgical navigation and communication system available. In the these operating rooms, the first of their kind in the world, physicians have the best technology available with instant access to an array of services including image-guided technology, real-time documentation, and consultation between rooms and hospitals around the world. Using infrared signals, physicians have a mapping system at their fingertips to pinpoint the exact position of surgical instruments with 99.9 percent accuracy. Special cameras provide physicians with "live" images of a patient during surgery. In real time, physicians can view the images on a flat screen panel, reducing exposure to radiation and achieving greater accuracy with implant placement. As a result, patients may enjoy shorter hospitalizations, fewer post-operative complications and improved joint stability.

Another recent project was the addition of an orthopaedic surgical care unit. With its 13 private patient rooms, the unit includes state of the art elements especially designed for the comfort and safety of orthopaedic patients, such as non-slip floors, showers that adapt to meet patient's needs and a large relaxing area for family visits. In addition, Nazareth has opened TheraPlex, an outpatient physical and occupational therapy center, a new inpatient therapy center, renovated the main lobby, as well as having made a wide range of other facility improvements.

Nazareth's dedication to providing quality healthcare is also evident in the large number of well-respected physicians it has attracted over the past 12 months. More than 54 physicians joined the Nazareth medical staff in 2003. And in 2004, 33 physicians have joined the medical staff.