Virginia’s only hospital devoted solely to critical care was dedicated today at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, launching a new era in how seriously ill and critically injured patients receive treatment.
The 15-level, 367,000 square-foot facility increases critical care capacity at the medical center with intensive care units for surgical trauma, neonatal, burn center, cardiac, neuroscience, medical respiratory and oncology patients. It also features new operating rooms and expanded emergency care.
“The Critical Care Hospital is distinctive in its evidence-based design and architecture that is focused on quality care and patient safety. It is a state-of-the-art facility that combines decades of experience and research of our staff and faculty with the newest technology,” said Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D., VCU president and president and chair of the VCU Health System. “This is an enormous addition to medical and surgical care offered to the citizens of the Commonwealth.”
The $184 million Critical Care Hospital is the largest capital construction project in the history of the VCU Medical Center. It houses 232 adult patient beds, increasing the medical center’s ratio of private to semi-private beds from 37 percent to 70 percent.
The private rooms average 250 square feet – large enough to accommodate patients’ families and multidisciplinary medical teams. The rooms also provide specialized features, such as built-in, ready-access dialysis portals and mobile headwalls, which reduce the need for patient moves, therefore lessening exposure to infection and risk of injury.
“The Critical Care Hospital fills a tremendous need in the region for highly specialized care that involves advanced and complex procedures and treatment for seriously ill and injured patients,” said Dr. Sheldon Retchin, VCU Health System CEO and VCU vice president for Health Sciences. “The new hospital is yet another demonstration of the VCU Medical Center’s dedication to practice innovation and ensuring the best patient care possible.”
Read more and view dedication photos.