BayCare Health System opens all-digital, state-of-the-art facility in North Tampa

Feb 16 2010

St. Joseph's Hospital-North, part of BayCare Health System, offers emergency care, surgical services, imaging and diagnostic facilities, intensive care and more in a peaceful, healing and family-centered environment.   Located just north of Tampa in Lutz, the all-digital, state-of-the-art facility is specially designed to make patients and visitors as comfortable as possible during their hospital experience.  

Local families say they are excited about having high-quality emergency services closer to home.  The full-service emergency department at St. Joseph's Hospital-North includes 30 private rooms for adult and pediatric patients.  A special fast-track area provides expedited treatment for minor emergencies.  The first emergency patient arrived within the first hour of opening at 7 a.m., with a dozen more following by noon.

"Everything here has just been great," said Dustin Keithly, the hospital's first patient, who was suffering from pain in his side.  "I was surprised to hear I'm the first patient.  I'm just glad it's here."

You sense a difference from the moment you enter this building, which resembles a luxury hotel with its high ceilings, tastefully appointed lobby and remarkably helpful staff.  

Each of the 108 patient rooms -- including those in the Intensive Care Unit and others in the Observation Unit -- is a beautiful private suite that includes a full bathroom and accommodations for an overnight guest.   Room service provides made-to-order meals (for those not restricted for medical reasons).

"Our family-centered care philosophy allows relatives and visitors to be collaborators in patient care," said Paula McGuiness, chief operating officer for St. Joseph's Hospital-North.  "By incorporating the family, everyone is working together to meet the needs of the patient."

Patient suites are beautifully outfitted with dark chocolate cabinetry and wood floors, plush fabrics and mosaic glass. In addition to the large high definition TV, these suites include an individually controlled entertainment system, a large bathroom with a full-size shower, an upholstered rocking chair and an in-room family area to accommodate an overnight guest.

Evidence-based design throughout St. Joseph's Hospital-North helps caregivers provide the best patient experience available.  One small example is the hallway lighting, where ceiling lights are aimed toward side walls rather than directly down in the face of patients on stretchers.  On a larger scale, every room features an identical floor plan to help caregivers work more efficiently with each patient.  In addition, smart workflow design ensures that medication, supplies and nourishment are organized in a manner that keeps caregivers close to patients and their families.  Noise reduction features, like carpeted hallways, noise-absorbing tiles and glass sound barriers add to the healing atmosphere.

Another subtle feature demonstrates that St. Joseph's Hospital-North is beautiful from the inside out.  LEED®-registered by the U.S. Green Building Council, the facility is designed and developed to achieve green building certification.  The environmentally friendly building is made of materials that support energy conservation and clean air with low chemical emissions and recycled content. 

"It's exciting to open a new hospital," McGuiness said.  "We get to bring this community the high level of care and service that St. Joseph's Hospital is known for, and we have done everything we possibly can to make everyone's experience here just as pleasant as possible."  

The main campus of St. Joseph's Hospital opened in Tampa more than 75 years ago.  For more information about the new hospital, visit www.StJosephsNorth.com , call 813-443-2045, or find it on Facebook.

Key Services

• Emergency Services
• General Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery                                                       
• Vascular/Thoracic Surgery
• Outpatient Pediatric Surgery 
• Endoscopic Surgery
• GI Endoscopy
• Urology
• Interventional Imaging

Features

• Spiritual support -- Healing gardens with captivating views provide an outdoor oasis for relaxation; a chapel offers indoor peace and comfort.
• Patient secure identification -- Registration and admitting is made easy with biometric palm scanning that provides pre-registered patients with instant access to their medical records, which are updated in real time throughout the fully digital hospital.
• Tobacco-free campus -- St. Joseph's Hospital-North is committed to the health and safety of patients, families, visitors and the community it serves. To support this position and to create and maintain a healthy environment for all, it has implemented a tobacco-free policy campus-wide.
• Amenities -- For the convenience of all we serve, the hospital offers:
  • Wireless communications and Internet access
  • Wayfinding kiosks for easy access to services
  • Twigs Cafe, for a variety of dining options, gourmet coffee, take out and to go service.  Patients enjoy room service meals cooked to order
  • Bamboo Gifts, offering a variety of flowers, cards and unique gifts.