Susquehanna Tower Public Tour Sunday, Feb. 26

Tours of the nearly completed Susquehanna Tower began Tuesday, February 21, as dignitaries from the county as well as those serving on the hospital board were present to listen to opening remarks made by Steven Johnson, CEO.

Lycoming County's largest building and renovation project to date, Susquehanna Tower is part of the Williamsport Regional Medical Center, located at 700 High Street, and boasts of a new expanded Emergency Department, Joint Replacement and Spine Unit, five new surgical suites including a Cardiac operating room, large therapy gym for orthopedic patients, mulitmedia conference area and artwork featuring regional artists throughout the entire facility.

Designed for efficiency and patient safety, the 242,000 square foot expansion marks the largest of all renovation projects to date in Susquehanna Health’s $250 million construction initiative named Project 2012.

The new emergency department, set to open in two stages, features private treatment rooms with television, private telephone and visitor space and will replace the medical center’s 17 curtained bays. Two trauma rooms and a radiology and CT scan suite will provide for quick evaluation and treatment of more critical patients.

The Imaging Center shares space on the first floor with the emergency department. For patient privacy, an internal elevator system takes hospital patients directly to a private waiting area in the Imaging Center’s core while outpatient imaging patients access a separate comfortable waiting area through the lobby.

The Education & Conference Center contains six spacious conference rooms for health education classes and support groups as well as a large conference center equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment.

A fully equipped surgical suite, designed for maximum efficiency and flexibility to expand for future growth and changes in technology, includes state-of-the-art equipment for open-heart procedures including leading-edge arrangement of equipment and technology, which allows cardiac surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures.

The Joint Replacement & Spine Unit was created so patients can feel more as if they are at home rather than in a hospital.  Its therapy gym, exclusively for joint and spine patients, helps patients simulate everyday activities. Also on the same floor is a 28-bed Progressive Care Unit for patients who need cardiac monitoring. A new wireless cardiac monitoring system will enable patients to be monitored from anywhere in the hospital.

Susquehanna Tower makes significant use of green materials in its construction. Environmentally friendly cleaning products and building materials were selected to maintain healthy air quality and reduce use of toxic chemicals throughout the facility. High efficiency sinks and toilets and lighting that maximizes energy in private patient rooms were designed to conserve environmental impact.

This summer, The Birthplace will move into space in the tower’s third floor and will feature amenities including wireless Internet, flatscreen televisions, entertainment system for watching movies, mini-refrigerators, upscale toiletries and a comfortable sleep space for a support person.

Nearly 400 pieces of artwork created by regional artists are displayed throughout the entire facility.

Susquehanna Tower will begin receiving patients in mid March.

A public open house is scheduled Sunday, February 26 from noon to 5 p.m.In addition to self-guided tours, the event will feature Wii Fit stations, airbrush face painters, refreshments and giveaways.

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