After four years of phased construction, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital has completed an extensive modernization project, positioning the healthcare facility to deliver an improved patient experience and increase efficiency. Mortenson Construction served as general contractor on the project, teaming up with architect HOK under an Integrated Lean Project Delivery (ILPD) approach.
Mortenson renovated 150,000 square feet while adding 230,000 square feet during the project. Among the major improvements are four new inpatient units, including an expanded 18-bed medical intensive care unit and three medical/surgical units. All of the hospital’s 176 inpatient rooms are now private, and new inpatient rooms are equipped with smart room technology.
“Good Shepherd has clearly achieved its ambitious goal of creating the hospital of the future for its community,” said Greg Werner, the Mortenson senior vice-president who leads the firm’s Chicago office. “It responded to growing demand for such services as surgery, breast health and intensive care while making the facility more patient-friendly and efficient.”
Werner, himself a Barrington resident, believes the hospital modernization brings tremendous value to the Chicago suburb and neighboring communities. “This world-class facility is a true asset to Barrington and surrounding towns,” he said.
The work included 14 new and renovated operating rooms, private rooms for patients prior to and after procedures and expanded space and amenities for family waiting. Other new and modernized areas include a consultation area for patients with chronic illness, a new, higher capacity breast care center, a centralized diagnostic exam area, new physical rehabilitation and cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation departments and an expanded endoscopy area. The modernization improves energy efficiency and green roofs provide energy-conserving insulation and absorb rainwater.
The project ended up being one of the most complex in the builder’s history. To ensure that hospital staff could continue all operations during the renovation and expansion, Mortenson Construction performed the work in 26 stages, requiring the construction of temporary locations for some departments while their permanent spaces were created.
But the elaborate, multi-phase and multi-year modernization was worth it. “Improving the patient care experience is our goal,” said Karen Lambert, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital president. “This design enhances patient access and creates a more streamlined flow.”
Photo: Joe Kay Studios
