St. Francis Prepares to Open New High-Tech Operating Suites

is nearing completion of a $12 million, one and a half year expansion project that includes new operating suites, an updated family waiting area, post anesthesia unit and same-day surgery area. The new construction also has three operating suites that include a virtual assistant name “Sidne.” This virtual assistant can take voice commands from the surgeon. Sidne has the ability to control the operating suites’ lights, cameras and more. Also included in the new suites are high-tech overhead ceiling mounted equipment booms. In addition to keeping the floor free of carts and equipment, the booms will allow the surgery team to set up the room in a configuration that best suits each patient and surgeon. St. Francis is only the fifth hospital in the country to install this boom system.

St. Francis’ new same-day surgery area offers 18 private rooms for patients. The rooms include sliding glass privacy doors, large flat screen TVs and heated blankets to maximize patient comfort.

The new family waiting area was designed with patient family groups in mind. The space consists of several alcoves that allow the families of patients privacy as they wait for the surgery to be completed. The waiting area is adjacent to St. Francis’ new cafeteria and outdoor patios, which provide various waiting options. Wireless paging technology has been implemented to call family members back when a surgery is complete. An additional key feature to the patient waiting area will be a patient tracking system, which allows family members to track the surgery process on a large screen TV. This tracking system allows families to see a patient move from pre-op, surgery, post-op and recovery.

After the expansion project is complete, St. Francis’ surgery department will grow from five to eight operating suites. Three of the suites will be new and five will be completely remodeled. In addition to the eight operating suites are two suites used for endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures. These rooms are also equipped with the new overhead ceiling mounted boom systems.

For more information about St. Francis, or the surgical services it offers, visit www.stfrancis-shakopee.com or on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/GzHhlZ.