University Hospital approved for additional operating rooms

USA Health received unanimous approval from the Alabama Certificate of Need Review Board to construct four new traditional operating rooms, a hybrid operating room, and a post-anesthesia care unit at University Hospital.

“The Mobile region continues to grow, and so does the demand for our services,” said Shannon Scaturro, administrator of University Hospital. “We are very grateful to the members of the review board, led by Dr. Swaid Swaid, for their thorough understanding of the need for these operating rooms and the tremendous impact they will have in helping meet the healthcare needs of the people in Mobile and beyond.”

The project, expected to take about a year, will be constructed in space that formerly housed the trauma center. The space became available with the opening of the Fanny Meisler Trauma Center in 2021.

Not only will the project expand the number of operating rooms, but it also will allow for larger rooms to better accommodate state-of-the-art equipment, such as surgical robotic technology and systems that support extremely complex surgical care. Further, it will create necessary support areas, including the 12-bed PACU and surgical storage areas.

The hybrid operating room is an advanced procedural space that combines a traditional operating room with an image-guided interventional suite. This room will increase the capability to perform cardiothoracic surgery, minimally invasive cardiology procedures, vascular surgery, interventional radiology procedures, and neurosurgical cranial procedures.

“This project will provide up-to-date surgical space that can accommodate not only typical surgical staff, but also our residents and fellows, thus advancing the education purpose of University Hospital as an academic medical center,” said Owen Bailey, M.H.S.A., FACHE, chief executive officer of USA Health.

The construction costs of the project are estimated at $9.5 million. The new equipment is expected to cost $9.77 million.