First it was get your fast food on the run. Now, you can get a colonoscopy or cosmetic dental surgery on the run, and be quickly out of the hospital within a day.
St. Barnabas Hospital launched a new ambulatory care and surgery unit on Thursday, August 13 following a $2.2 million renovation of its old main lobby and waiting area. Some describe the new facility as “almost like going to a spa.”
Those who choose the hospital, located at 4422 Third Avenue, can now come in for same-day procedures like colonoscopies, endoscopies, as well as general, vascular, gynecological, and dental surgeries.
“The beautiful facility offers many amenities and conveniences for our patients, and follows closely in he footsteps of other recent changes, like our newly renovated state-of-the-art operating room suite, recovery area, and emergency room,” said Dr. Scott Cooper, president and CEO of St. Barnabas Hospital at the kick-off ceremony, which included a ribbon cutting.
Cooper added: “It’s a very modern looking and tastefully appointed facility that provides a soothing spa-like atmosphere designed to promote patient comfort and relieve anxiety prior to a surgical procedure.”
Located on the first floor, the 4,330 square-foot-unit offers patient drop-off and pick-up, as well as free patient parking. It has 12 individual patient rooms each with flat-screen televisions; registration and reception areas are located near the entrance to the suites; expediting paperwork and insurance confirmation; men’s and women’s locker rooms for patients to secure their valuables; and access to interpretation in more than 100 languages and dialects for non-English speaking and hearing-impaired patients.
It is estimated that 7,500 patients will come to the facility annually, which would double the present number of same day procedures. The unit was previously housed on the 6th floor of the hospital, in a smaller space.
Senator Jeff Klein and Councilman Joel Rivera attended the ribbon cutting, both speaking about the importance of the health care industry in a borough where 38% of workers are in the field.
“Here we are today once again with St. Barnabas at the cutting edge of health care in the borough,” said Senator Klein at the ceremony. “There is something to be said for recuperating in your own home with your loved ones around you. This is a model that will reduce the price of health care and I think make it more family oriented.”
“St. Barnabas has always been a trendsetter in our community and a pillar providing outstanding service,” Rivera said.
