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Seeing is believing for one area doctor
September 16, 2024
LA CROSSE – Mayo Clinic Health System’s new hospital in La Crosse is open and treating patients – the culmination of nearly two years of planning, design and construction.
Prathibha Varkey, president of the Mayo Clinic Health System, said the hospital was designed to blend technology with personalized care – connecting people with data to create new knowledge and scalable solutions and transform community care.
Varkey said the hospital is more than a new building – “it is a $215 million investment in the Coulee Region and a key part of Mayo Clinic’s initiative to integrate its physical spaces and digital capabilities to bring an unparalleled care experience to our patients.
“Forward-looking facilities that exemplify Mayo Clinic values close to home are a key part of our Mayo Clinic Health System Bold. Forward. 2030 strategy,” she said. “We are thrilled to enrich the wellness and health of our community through this new hospital and provide an inspiring work environment for our hardworking, outstanding staff.”
With patient comfort and safety as top priorities, Varkey said the six-level, 96-bed facility replaces the current hospital and features:
- Spacious inpatient rooms that use natural light to support a healing environment
- State-of-the-art imaging equipment that is safer and more comfortable for patients and enhances the care team’s ability to diagnose and plan treatment
- Comfortable labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum suites where new mothers and their babies can remain throughout their stay
- Digital door displays connected to the electronic health record that are updated in real time to give staff valuable patient information
Varkey said the La Crosse hospital is the largest construction project in the history of Mayo Clinic Health System and replaces the previous, more than 100-year-old facility.
The new hospital will offer the same care that their current facility does but the new building will allow more efficiency.
The hospital includes:
- Cardiac care
- Radiology and imaging
- Medical-surgical units
- An intensive care unit
- A new family birth center and a special care nursery
- A surgical and procedural floor connected to existing operating rooms in the Center for Advanced Medicine and Surgery, with pre-surgery and post-surgery recovery rooms
- A rooftop helipad
- Space for future growth and technology
The industry’s latest technology, Gianrico Farrugia – president and CEO of Mayo Clinic – said was integrated into the project to personalize care for each patient and support staff, including:
- Digital door signs positioned next to the room door to provide clinical staff with patient information, such as fall risk, dietary restrictions, isolation precautions and other pertinent patient care information.
- Pillow speakers for patients to control their window shades and room lighting, change television channels and call for assistance from nursing staff.
- A patient monitoring system connected to telemedicine technology that can be used for two-way visits with Mayo Clinic physicians and nurses
The building’s flexible design, Varkey said, supports care team collaboration and integration of the care patients receive in person and across digital platforms.
As patient needs change, Farrugia said the hospital’s design allows spaces to evolve to meet those future needs.
“The new hospital, together with the recently opened tower in Mankato, Minnesota, stands as a testament to a new kind of community health care and as a blueprint for the transformation of medical infrastructure,” Farrugia said.
Richard Helmers, regional vice president of the Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin, said the new hospital enhances Mayo Clinic’s ability to care for patients in the West Central Wisconsin region.
“This hospital sets a new standard for community health systems with digitally enabled spaces designed for convenience, safety and quality now and in the future,” he said.
A focus on sustainability
Helmers said sustainability was a key focus in the design and construction.
Architects used green building solutions – including an energy-efficient exterior, LED lighting, finishes made from recycled materials and individual room cooling.
The new hospital, Helmers said, also has a geothermal heating and cooling system, which uses groundwater to regulate temperature.
He said it is 24% more energy efficient than traditional systems and produces 42% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result, Helmers said the hospital will use significantly less energy than the healthcare industry standard.
Ready to care
Lisa Archer, chief nursing officer of Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin, said staff is loving the new space.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to our staff for their dedication and integral role in designing the new hospital from inception to completion,” she said. “Their input has truly shaped the hospital into a place where innovation meets expert care.”
