Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis Campus Expansion

Departments, volunteers adjust to new office

2011-12-07T15:43:00.000-05:00

Volunteer Services, along with theService Excellence Department, will operatemore efficiently under one roof after theiroperations consolidated from the Beech Grovecampus to Indianapolis.Both departments are now located nearthe Women & Children’s Center elevator bank,just down the hall from the gift shop andJazzman’s Café.

Even though both departments havemoved to the Indianapolis Campus, manyvolunteers will remain at Beech Grove untilthe consolidation next March.

The Volunteer Services department hascreated a new volunteer workroom. With openshelving and portable tables to accommodateboth large and small projects, the workroomprovides a welcoming atmosphere for thevolunteers. The space allows major projects,such as putting together the admissiondischarge packets for new patients to stuffingenvelopes for various departments, to runsmoothly.

Franciscan St. Francis Health currentlyhas nearly 600 active volunteers, somevolunteering at more than one campus. Thereare 335 volunteers at Indianapolis, 125 atBeech Grove, 70 at Mooresville, and 38 off-site.Five members of the Service Excellencestaff have moved to the Indianapolis Campuswhile the others continue to serve BeechGrove.

New procedure areas provide cutting-edge care options

2011-12-05T15:36:00.001-05:00

As the construction continues on the newpatient tower at the Franciscan St. FrancisHealth-Indianapolis campus, the formerambulatory surgery and endoscopy areasin the first-floor outpatient area undergo afacelift that’s more than skin deep.

In December, a new hospital departmentwill open for patients having outpatientendoscopy or interventional radiologyprocedures or surgery. The benefits of thiscombined unit include a more streamlineddelivery of care for the patient and enhancedstaffing coverage for these surgery services.The unit will have five endoscopy rooms,16 pre- and post-surgery rooms and severalpre-op exam rooms, all in one general area.Surgery patients will be transported to thesecond-floor operating rooms by the elevatorslocated in the unit.

The new organization of these services willprovide patients with more of a small clinicexperience,with the benefit of being cared for at a full-servicehospital. Patients can register and havetheir pre-op examination, procedure prep andpost-procedure recovery all in one location.Private pre- and post-procedure roomsare arranged in small pods with a centralnursing station, keeping nursing staff close topatients. Patients and families can even talkto a financial counselor if they desire, withoutleaving the first-floor department.

Hospitalists get an early move-in to 3-West

2011-11-29T09:24:00.001-05:00

The new exclusive partnership between Franciscan St. Francis Health and Indiana Internal Medicine Consultants (IIMC)will increase the number of inpatients we serve daily at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis. To accommodate this growth, the hospital recently opened “3-West,” a 12-bed unit in new patient tower on the Indianapolis campus.

The unit will be for the hospitalists’ patients only until March 2012, expanding to a 32-bed post-surgery unit after the Beech Grove inpatient consolidation is complete.

The agreement with IIMC supports an even more integrated continuum of care and case management.

IIMC specialists include internal medicine, pulmonary, critical care, rheumatology, family practice, infectious disease and sleep medicine specialists serving central Indiana.

A moveable feat: Beech Grove move of units, services slated for mid-March

2011-11-22T08:13:00.001-05:00

Moving a hospital – even if only a scant seven miles from one location to another – is no easy task and requires tedious planning, flexibility and attention to detail. But that’s what is now taking place as Franciscan St. Francis Health prepares to migrate inpatient services from Beech Grove to Indianapolis.

During the week of March 12-16, all Beech Grove inpatient units will move. Unit-by-unit details on the unit-by-unit move are still being finalized with the overriding goal of minimizing the disruption of services to patients and their care, Indianapolis Campus Expansion (ICE) leaders report.

The new patient rooms are on the third-to-six floors in the bed tower.

“Surgical services will transition to Indianapolis, as well, during this time,” said COO Keith Jewell. “However, we will
maintain emergency operating room services at Beech Grove until all patients are moved.”

The Beech Grove Emergency Department will be the last patient care area to shut down on March 16, thus ensuring the hospital’s ability to respond to the vital needs of the community.

Meanwhile, October was a busy month for some departments.

Service Excellence and Volunteer Services moved into their new area on the first floor, located in the former Emergency Department.
The new surgery waiting area has set up shop in the renovated area of the old cafeteria, which will later also house a café, the Human Resources Department, and offices for hospital administration and medical staff.
Endoscopy services and respiratory care are now making plans to locate to the former surgery area and basement of the heart center respectively in November.

New breast center opens with flourish

2011-11-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

The newly finished Breast Center at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis opened its doors last month with a flourish. Less than a week after it officially opened, the 6,000-square-foot facility was opened to the public with the Oct. 7 “Mammothon.” The one-day event accommodated 198 patients seeking convenient mammogram screenings for breast cancer.

The center, which is attached to the Franciscan St. Francis Cancer Center now under construction, enhances the quality of care, comfort and privacy for patients. By design, the facility offers patients a warmer, more welcoming environment while also reducing wait times for screenings and procedures.

Privacy is of paramount importance highlighted by separate waiting rooms and private changing areas for screening and diagnostic patients. The Franciscan St. Francis Breast Center provides a full range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services, including:

• Digital mammography (screening and diagnostic)
• Computer aided detection
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Stereotactic and ultrasound-guided core biopsies

The Cancer Center provides personalized patient care with a breast nurse navigator, who coordinates each patient’s journey from diagnosis.

To reach the Breast Center, call (317) 528-8555 to schedule procedures. If your physician has given you a written order, please have it available when scheduling your appointment.

On the Move: Services relocate at Indianapolis campus

2011-04-12T14:55:00.001-04:00

Beginning Wednesday, April 13, the following services at Franciscan St. Francis Health – Indianapolis will be moved to the new patient tower facing Interstate 65 (next to the Heart Center entrance):

Emergency Services, including Center of Hope – first floor
Surgical Services – second floor
Terrace Café (Cafeteria) – second floor. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Wound Care Institute – relocating from its current location at Beech Grove to the first floor of the Indianapolis campus.

The closest parking for these services will be in Zone 1.

Emergency Services at the old location will stop at 7 a.m. April 13, and services will begin at the new location in the bed tower at that time.

Evening and nighttime access will only be through the new Emergency Department from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Visiting our Indianapolis campus? You can download a campus guide from our website.

Docs warm to ICE project

2011-03-24T10:06:00.006-04:00

More than 100 St. Francis Medical Group (SFMG) and hospital-affiliated physicians had a preview of the new features of the Indianapolis Campus Expansion project last night (March 23). An after-hours reception in lobby and new cafeteria offered the doctors and other invited guests the opportunity to tour the new emergency department, operating suites, administrative and clinical support offices and model rooms for medical/surgical and intensive care unit beds.

The guests were greeted by Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell; Dr. Christopher "Topper" Doehring, vice president of medical affairs; Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission services; SFMG President Dr. Isaac Myers II; and other administration and clinical leaders.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE: Events unveil ICE opening

2011-03-23T11:59:00.003-04:00

This year, the arrival of spring signals a new season and beginning, and the completion of the first phase of the Indianapolis Campus Expansion (ICE) project.

But before the doors officially open to patients in mid-April, three key events will give hospital employees and their families, the community and Archdiocese and civic leaders an opportunity to celebrate and participate.

Employee Open House

11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 2

A range of activities are planned for hospital staff and their families with CEO

Bob Brody on hand to greet visitors. Guided tours will take visitors through the new emergency department, operating suites, new cafeteria, patient rooms and other areas.

The halls will be alive with the sound of music, featuring Barometer Soup and the strolling eight-member Mariachi Sol Jalisciense. Lunch, beverages, desserts and other treats will keep the family fueled for such activities as Dance Your Way to Health, Dance Dance Revolution, carnival games and a craft area for youngsters.

Employees attending the event also can participate in raffles and take home some seriously cool gifts.

Blessing and Dedication

2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 5

Auxiliary Bishop Christopher J. Coyne of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis will officiate the formal blessing of the entire six-story facility.

As the hospital looks to its future, its rich heritage will be recalled at this event. Representatives of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration will sound the Angelus bell for the first time in nearly four decades. Attendees also will receive a hand bell to commemorate the event.

Among the many dignitaries expected to be on hand are Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson. Both are expected to present proclamations touting the campus expansion.

Other invited guests and speakers include Central Indiana Regional Board Chair Dr. Gerald Walthall, Franciscan Alliance Board Chair Sister Jane Marie Klein, and Franciscan Alliance President/CEO Kevin Leahy.

The Marian University Sacred Choir will provide special music during dedication events.

Public Open House

11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9

From folk to funk and soon appearing at Franciscan venue, local entertainers Dave and Rae will bring their special blend of tunes to this community-focused event. And though St. Patrick’s Day will already be a memory, the Celtic Dance in Motion troupe will step out with traditional Irish dance steps.

Want to go dancing with some local stars? Visitors can meet the Pacemates, who will partner up with youngsters in a kids-only dance room, or rally round the Pacers Fan Van located near the main entrance. There are many activities – crafts, games and raffle drawings throughout the day for all ages.

Adults can check out their “vitals” and wellness at health screenings inside the new emergency department, or stroll through the 12-foot-tall MegaHeart to learn how the heart works and what you can do to take care of it. Food and prizes also are on the menu, and tours led by hospital staff will give the community a sneak-peek of the new facility.

Upon these rocks -- an expanded hospital is being built

2011-03-22T13:50:00.007-04:00

Looking back: June 23, 2008...

Sister Marlene Shapley and Father John Mannion offer a prayer moments after placing some very special rocks she had collected while on a pilgrimage to Italy in 2007.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some very special material is part of the concrete foundation on which a six-story Bed Tower will rise at St. Francis Hospital’s Indianapolis campus.

Surrounded the hum of construction and rumbling of trucks rolling in and out of that site on June 23, Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission services and Father John Mannion of Spiritual Care, stepped forward and cast six stones into the foundation’s newly poured concrete. And it marked the completion of an idea that surfaced nearly a year ago while on a pilgrimage to Italy with Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell and other St. Francis Hospital family members.

“The purpose of our pilgrimage was to deepen our knowledge and understanding of our Franciscan heritage,” said Sister Marlene. “At the time, St. Francis was about to launch its consolidation and construction and it just seemed like an opportunity to link our past with our future.”

While in Italy, the trio visited San Damiano – the place where Francis heard the words of the Christ who said, “Francis, repair my church for it is falling into ruin” – where they were given a stone as a keepsake. They also collected stones from Carceri, a hill top area above Assisi that Francis and his followers often went to pray; The Portiuncula, another one of the churches that Francis repaired; La Verna, where Francis received the stigma of Christ; and Greccio where Francis re-enacted the living Nativity.

The rock-placing ceremony began in the lobby of the nearby Heart Center, where Sister Marlene explained the significance of what she was about to do to a group that included Robert J. Brody, CEO and president.

“Symbolically and quite literally, the expanded hospital is being built on our Franciscan tradition,” Sister Marlene said.

For whom the Angelus bell tolls...

2011-03-18T07:11:00.003-04:00

The rich tone and familiar sound that echoed daily throughout Beech Grove was heard no more after Aug. 12, 1975.

Since the hospital’s construction in 1913, the Sisters of St. Francis climbed the stairs to the tower to ring the bronze bell. It was a Franciscan tradition called “Angelus,” dating back to 1260, recalling the angel of God delivering the news to Mary of the imminent birth of the Messiah.

The bell tolled daily at 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m., as a celebratory call to prayer. And it rung in a mournful way at 3 p.m., recounting the time Christ was thought to have died.

“It was a mournful tolling, unlike the joyous sound of Angelus,” according to a January 1983 account in Intercom, the former St. Francis Hospital employees’ newsletter. “At its sound each Sister would cease her activities, kneel with outstretched arms and pray, offering up such prayers for the dying in the name of the crucified Christ…”

The aging hospital roof needed replacing, requiring the removal of the three-ton bell unit and tower structure. After more than six decades, that all-familiar sound was silenced.

Today, the shining bell is displayed near the hospital’s main lobby – but the Franciscan tradition and meaning it conveyed still resonates.

The Art of ICE

2011-03-16T11:03:00.007-04:00

THE FUTURE "new" main entrance at Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis -- located on the east side of the campus facing I-65 -- is now adorned with the inspired work of artist Peter Skidd's "Sympathy of St. Francis." This creation represents the Saint's "far-reaching, all-embracing sympathy," using birds and a heavenly reaching tree. The three-waves represent Francis' vows of poverty, obedience and chastity.

Overall interior design is being coordinated by Lohr Design. Finishing touches are being applied as Phase I of the Indianapolis Campus Expansion project nears its April 13 opening date.

The ‘greening’ of a hospital

2011-03-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Natural elements and light play a role in a patient’s healing and the design at the Francsican St. Francis Health - Indianapolis campus takes that into account.
To help make a bit of the outdoors available to patients, the hospital is creating four rooftop gardens, totaling 19,800 square feet. Located on the second and third floor roofs of the new patient tower, the rooftop gardens will occupy approximately 35 percent of the new roof.

The purpose of the gardens is to promote an aesthetically pleasing environment that contributes to each patient’s healing process during their stay at Franciscan St. Francis Health. Ornamental perennials of different sizes and colors, along with a variety of plants will decorate the rooftops.

Most patients will have a view of the roof and the colorful plants that change with the seasons. The rooftop gardens will be fully planted and blooming this spring.

But the hospital also has been “greenminded” in other ways since the construction got under way more than three years ago. During that time, travelers driving past St. Francis on I-65 have seen the new patient tower grow – literally – from the ground up. No doubt they have at times seen significant debris and waste that accumulates as part of the construction process.

So what happens to all those materials?

Tonn & Blank Construction coordinates the disposal of much of the debris in an environmentally friendly way. Metals, paper, cardboard boxes and packing materials are regularly recycled. In addition, asphalt that is removed is milled up, crushed and sent back to an asphalt plant to be re-used.

Local firefighters get sneak peek at St. Francis Indianapolis project

2011-01-27T14:58:00.002-05:00

Phase I nearing end of completion; ER and other services to open April 13

INDIANAPOLIS – Firefighters had an inside look at how work is progressing in the expansion of the Franciscan St. Francis Health Indianapolis campus on the city’s south side.

Indianapolis Fire Department members from Perry and Franklin townships visited the facility Jan. 26 with hospital officials and project managers, getting a basement-to-roof look at areas nearing completion and those where construction remains under way.

"This tour gave firefighters an opportunity to become familiar with new areas of the hospital and to familiarize them with the fire alarm system and critical access points," said St. Francis Security Director Michael Johnson.

One of their stops took the fire crew up six flights of steps to the roof of the patient tower, one of the tallest vantage points in southern Marion and Johnson counties.

Meanwhile, St. Francis officials report that Phase I services are slated for opening April 13. These services are located in the basement and first two levels.

Visitors will find some significant changes. The main entrance and lobby (Level I), currently located on the west side of the campus (Emerson Avenue) will be relocated to the east side of the campus, facing Interstate 65.

An expanded Emergency Department and its entrance are north and adjacent to the main entrance. When fully occupied, the emergency department will have 55 exam rooms and four trauma areas, all organized into special pods. Each pod will be used to group patients with similar diagnoses or needs – a design innovation that enhances efficiency, safety and communication between clinicians in caring for patients.

Other services and departments included in Phase I:
Basement
central sterile processing
security
respiratory therapy
information technology
auditorium
nursing informatics
engineering
other support services

Level I
registration
observation unit
wound care
nursing administration

Level II
surgery
recovery rooms
cafeteria

Work on the $265 million project, which began in late 2007, is moving at a vigorous pace, particularly in the patient bed tower (Phase II). St. Francis officials say this final phase of construction will end in late spring 2012. The tower will add 221 inpatient beds to the facility’s existing 230 beds.

"At that time we will phase out inpatient services at our Beech Grove hospital," said Keith Jewell, senior vice president and chief operating officer.

While inpatient services at Beech Grove will have moved to the 8111 S. Emerson campus with the completion of Phase II, some St. Francis outpatient services are expected to remain in Beech Grove. The hospital has been working close with Beech Grove officials and leaders about the potential re-use of the campus facilities since St. Francis announced its Indianapolis project in early 2007.

Design Innovation: ER pods make for more efficient care of patients

2011-01-08T16:26:00.002-05:00

Although there are many doors that will lead visitors into a hospital, there are two primary entrances that are most commonly used at hospitals around the nation. For many patients and family members, the “main” entrance they use first is the door to the Emergency Room.

In fact, more than 144,000 people came through the Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville Emergency Departments in 2009.

So, when hospital leadership started making plans for the Indianapolis bed tower, they
soon included a new ER, one that could best accommodate the growing need for services.
The Indianapolis ER will be one of the first departments to relocate into the new bed
tower this spring.

The ER will be located on the first floor of the new tower, north of the new main entrance near the Heart Center. It will have 55 exam rooms, four trauma rooms, and three behavioral health rooms. Patients can be dropped off at the ER using a drive separate from the one leading to the Heart Center and main entrances. Ambulances will approach the ER via another drive on the north side of the bed tower.

According to Randy Todd, M.D., medical director for St. Francis Emergency Services, the two main focuses for planning the ER were efficiency in delivering care and round-the-clock safety of staff members.

“Our idea was not to try to predict our needs in five years but to determine a design that would be most flexible in meeting changing needs,” he said.

To that end, he and several staff members visited three other hospital ERs in Ohio and North Carolina. Their visits helped the staff and architects develop a design that included a central core near the ambulance entrance that provides patient rooms for the sickest patients and a working area for nurses and unit secretaries.

Additional patient rooms are organized in sections, or “pods” of eight beds. Each pod can be used to group patients with similar diagnoses or needs, such as a pod for pediatric patients and one for patients with acute care needs. As the patient population rises and falls during the day, the “size” of the unit changes around the central core. This way, staff is kept close together to improve efficiency and safety and enhance communication between staff members.

Francis is moving, rearranging departments to accommodate patient needs

2011-01-01T15:18:00.001-05:00

The transition of all Beech Grove services to the Indianapolis campus, as well as the opening of the new patient tower, will happen in two phases to make the transition as convenient as possible for patients and hospital staff. Several services will also be consolidated and moved.

Here’s a quick overview on what to expect.

Phase One:

This spring, the basement and first two floors of the new patient tower are expected to be open to patients.
The expanded Emergency Department will move from its current location to floor 1 of the patient tower. In addition, the cafeteria and surgery areas will re-locate to the tower’s second floor.
The moving of these departments to their new locations within the patient tower will free up space in the existing hospital building and allow for expansion of services. For example, a larger pharmacy will occupy a portion of the current Emergency Department space. The current cafeteria space will transition into a café, surgery waiting area, Human Resources Department, and offices for Administration and Medical Staff.

Phase Two:

In spring 2012, floors 3 through 6 will be completed. These floors primarily consist of inpatient rooms.
During this same time, Beech Grove’s clinical services and departments will consolidate and move to the Indianapolis campus.

Looking back: Responding to a need

2010-12-28T16:22:00.001-05:00

The vision of the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration has always focused on serving the poor and needy, and
society’s “untouchables.” That commitment gained new clarity in Beech Grove in 1914, when St. Francis Hospital opened.

The 75-bed facility was deemed “fully modern,” offering comprehensive medical services, an operating room, X-ray machine, laboratory, pharmacy and an emergency room. But vision often means looking beyond the horizon to unseen situations and challenges.

By 1930, the Great Depression continued to plunge the nation to more dismal depths. Millions unemployed. Soup lines. A surging demand for charity medical care. The Sisters took a bold step forward and broke ground on what would be called the South Wing, increasing the hospital’s bed count to 170, more than doubling its capacity. They also included a new Obstetrical Department, one of the most advanced of its kind.

Hospital admissions soared in the decade following the construction of the new wing. In its first year, the expanded hospital served 1,805 patients. In less than a decade, admissions had grown to more than 4,100.

Service was the cornerstone on which the Beech Grove hospital was built nearly a century ago. Service was the mortar that held it together and, in fact, expanded its reach to Beech Grove and Indianapolis during one of the bleakest times in the nation’s history.

What do they do with all the debris?

2010-12-16T15:17:00.000-05:00

For the past two years, travelers driving past St. Francis on I-65 have seen the new patient tower grow – literally – from the ground up. They’ve also seen the significant debris and waste that accumulate as part of the construction process. But what happens to all that debris?

St. Francis is proud to report that it recycles a portion of the debris. Metals, paper, cardboard boxes and packing materials are regularly recycled. In addition, asphalt that is removed is milled up, crushed and sent back to an asphalt plant to be re-used.

Rooftop gardens add to patient healing process

2010-12-06T15:15:00.000-05:00

St. Francis knows the important role that natural elements and light play in a patient’s healing process. To help make a bit of the outdoors available to its patients, the hospital is creating four rooftop gardens, totaling 19,800 square feet. Located on the second and third floor roofs of the new patient tower, the rooftop gardens will occupy approximately 35 percent of the new roof.

The purpose of the gardens is to promote an aesthetically pleasing environment that contributes to each patient’s healing process during their stay at St. Francis. Ornamental perennials of different sizes and colors, along with a variety of plants will decorate the rooftops. Most patients will have a view of the roof and the colorful plants that change with the seasons.

The rooftop gardens will be fully planted and blooming by spring 2011.

Cancer Center work reroutes access

2010-09-15T15:48:00.001-04:00

As the work on the expanded Cancer Center gets under way, the hallway between MRI and Radiology was closed effective Sept. 7 for at least six months.

Employees and hospital visitors needing to access the Heart Center, Emergency Department and Women and Children’s areas (including the gift shop) from the ancillary building main entrance lobby, will use the outer perimeter hallway near the west side of the building toward the north end of the main lobby.

Employees and unescorted visitors are not permitted to walk through the Radiology Department to get to or from the main building entrance. The Cancer Center's 70,000-square-foot expansion is expected to be completed in spring 2012.

Cancer Center construction beginning

2010-09-01T14:25:00.003-04:00

Work on the Cancer Center expansion is underway. Construction equipment moved in recently to prepare the construction site, which extends over the existing parking area adjacent to the Emergency Room entrance.

Special parking accommodations for cancer physicians, staff and patients will extend through the construction phase.

When complete, the new Cancer Center will be two stories and include outpatient treatment care and several other services. (Inpatient care will be provided in the new patient tower facing I-65.)

New Indianapolis campus lab open

2010-08-30T14:21:00.003-04:00

The newly expanded outpatient lab is now open at St. Francis—Indianapolis, conveniently located near Entrance 6, in the space formerly occupied by the gift shop. This construction is part of the Indianapolis consolidation project that includes the new inpatient tower on the east side of the campus.

Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Heart Center entrance reopens

2010-08-18T12:09:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that the Heart Center entrance has been reopened ahead of schedule. Thank you to our patients and visitors for their patience!

Wound Care Institute offers faster, innovative care

2010-08-11T16:45:00.002-04:00

The Wound Care Institute at St. Francis will be among the first hospital departments to transition from its Beech Grove current location to the new Indianapolis campus patient tower.

The move will take place in March 2011, just in time for the grand opening, to the first floor of the tower. Since 1998, Beech Grove has been home to the Wound Care Institute. A second location opened in Mooresville in 2009.

What changes will you notice during the Wound Care Institute grand opening? You’ll see more patient rooms and advanced technology, including a second hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The first chamber was obtained by St. Francis in August 2009.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the breathing of pressurized oxygen and has been shown to optimize healing, particularly for those at risk of losing a limb. The chamber compresses the molecules in the air and allows the compressed oxygen to enter small blood vessels and tissue it would not normally be able to penetrate. This increases the healing process, blood flow and the chances of saving a limb. It also helps alleviate pain.

HBOT usually lasts 90 minutes per treatment, and patients come to the Wound Care Institute five days a week for six weeks to receive treatment. HBOT treatments are optimal for patients with complicated wounds such as diabetic ulcers, post-surgical foot wounds, bone infection and treatment-radiated bed wounds..

Adding the second hyperbaric chamber offers patients faster service and more flexibility with their treatment regimens. It is just one of the many treatment options used to accelerate wound healing available at St. Francis.

“We are excited about our new, centralized location and user-friendly space,” said Amira Kehoe, manager of the Wound Care Institute and Enterostomal Therapy. “Patient care is our highest priority, and these new features will give our patients the opportunity to experience healing in a new way.”

Construction continues on surgery suites

2010-07-23T15:41:00.003-04:00

Brian Phillips (left), project manager with Tonn and Blank Construction, recently took members of the St. Francis Community Relations and Marketing department and representatives from the Borshoff agency on a tour of the new patient tower construction site. The new surgery suites, located on the second floor, are taking shape. Mounts for lights and cameras are being installed in the ceilings of the surgical suites. A separate air-handling system for the surgical suites is also housed on the second floor.

Temporary closure of Heart Center entrance

2010-07-20T15:57:00.002-04:00

Thank you for your patience during the construction of our new St. Francis Hospital–Indianapolis patient tower adjacent to the Heart Center. When completed, this state-of-the-art patient tower will feature a new emergency department, private patient rooms, high-tech surgery suites, a new cafeteria and more.

As construction progresses, we wanted to make you aware of a change that will occur soon.

Beginning Aug. 2, the St. Francis Heart Center main entrance will temporarily close to allow construction to continue. The Heart Center patient and visitor access will temporarily shift to the Women & Children’s Services entrance, located just south of the Heart Center. Heart Center staff and volunteers will be in the Women & Children’s Services lobby providing directions and assistance.

The entrance closure should only last 45 days or less, and we are working to ensure you continue to have convenient access to the Heart Center.

Parking is still available in both the Heart Center and Women & Children’s parking lots. (Download a parking map.) Free shuttle service is offered Monday through Friday from 4:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. To call the shuttle directly, please call 416-8725.

We apologize for any inconvenience the construction may cause and appreciate your cooperation during this time of transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 851-1580.

Patient parking changes as St. Francis Cancer Center expansion begins

2010-06-21T09:16:00.000-04:00

Patient parking is poised to change temporarily to make way for expanding the St. Francis Cancer Center at 8111 S. Emerson Ave.

Beginning this week, patients with appointments will receive priority parking in a designated area monitoring by an attendant from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. That area is near the center’s main entry (Entrance No. 4).

“Patients with frequent or recurring appointments will receive a parking pass from the Cancer Center allowing them unrestricted access to patient parking spaces,” said Kent Brumbaugh, executive director of St. Francis Cancer Services. “Construction will continue through early 2012 and parking will be limited during that time.”

Site preparations are set to get under way for a $34 million expansion of the center. The facility is adding 70,000-square feet – more than quadrupling its current size – providing more services to patients in central Indiana.

Patients and caregivers having questions about parking can call (317) 783-8918.

Chat addresses your questions about Indianapolis construction, Beech Grove campus

2010-03-02T11:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our second St. Francis online chat with Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell. Keith will answer your questions about the Indianapolis construction project and the possible future uses of St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove after medical services are consolidated at the Indianapolis campus in early 2011. This program will continue until 1 p.m.

As a reminder, this chat session is a real conversation. For this reason, please observe the same etiquette in the chat session as you would in day-to-day conversation.Due to the anticipated number of questions and comments posted, there may be a small delay between the time your question is submitted and the time it is viewable on the blog.

Guidelines for posting comments

Please keep comments and questions civil. We will not accept insulting groups or individuals.
Reporters who visit the site and want to pose questions are asked to identify themselves and their news organizations.
Pages on Blogger.com are not automatically updated with new posts as they are on Twitter or Facebook. For that reason, please periodically refresh your page to see the latest posts.
St. Francis cannot comment on official business on the part of the cities of Indianapolis, Beech Grove or Greenwood, nor on the Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission.
If you have comments or concerns regarding your patient experience at St. Francis, please complete this form to reach our Service Excellence department.

St. Francis COO goes on-line to chat about Indy campus project

2010-02-23T09:09:00.001-05:00

Even though the winter weather might conceal it, there is a flurry of construction activity at the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis campus. And the public soon will have the opportunity to learn more about what’s going on.

St. Francis Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell will host a live blog chat from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, to answer questions about the ongoing construction project and what it means to the communities of south-central Indiana.

Jewell also will field questions about the possible future use of St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove after medical services are consolidated at the Indianapolis campus in early 2012.

Those unable to participate in the chat session can e-mail questions in advance to the St. Francis Community Relations team by 10 a.m. March 1.

This chat session is “real “conversation. For this reason participants should observe the same etiquette when participating in the chat session as they would in day-to-day conversation.
St. Francis reserves the right to delete comments it thinks may be offensive to the audience at large.

Visit the St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis construction blog at http://stfrancis-Indianapolis.blogspot.com to post questions to Jewell.

Construction tour

2010-02-16T09:05:00.001-05:00

Get an insider's look at construction on the basement, first and second floors.

Food & Nutrition services to transform in new location

2009-11-28T16:44:00.002-05:00

The staff of Food & Nutrition Services is gearing up for an expanded cafeteria and eating locations when the new bed tower opens on the Indianapolis campus.

When complete, employees and visitors will have three dining options at the Indianapolis campus. The cafeteria will be centrally located in the new bed tower, where most visitors and employees will be located.

But that’s not the only option. Jazzman’s Café will remain in its present location by the Gift Shop in the Women & Children’s Services lobby. A third option – a European-style bakery – is being considered. Rather than solely provide take-out, the bakery also would include sit-down booths and would be located on the second floor near where the cafeteria is located currently.

Improved patient experiences

Relocating the cafeteria to the bed tower and potentially adding a bakery in the current cafeteria location aren’t the only changes that will result in saving time. When the new kitchen opens, it will have the added advantage of having a centralized elevator to more quickly get patient trays to the rooms. And the kitchen will have two room service lines to more quickly manage patient requests

Exterior nearing completion; workers to move indoors

2009-11-16T16:39:00.001-05:00

With winter approaching, the first order of business for workers on the construction site is to enclosethe new patient tower.

The tower crane, originally installed in May 2008, was removed the first weekend in October. The two-day processwent without a hitch, according to Brian Phillips, project manager. Another 550-ton truck-mounted crane, brought on site to dismantle and remove it, came with a 135-foot main boom and a 308,000-pound counterweight. The heaviest section of the 17-piece tower crane weighed 34,000 pounds.

By mid-October, the roof, ceilings and concrete for the floors had been installed where the crane once stood within the patient tower.

By mid-November, the outer concrete panels and glass—the “skin” of the building—will be installed, and the air handlers will be operational. At that time, more construction workers will be on site to continue work inside.

In 2011, the basement and first three floors of the new addition will be finishedand ready to be occupied by the Emergency Department, Cafeteria, Environmental Services, Surgery, Education Department, Nursing Administration and other services.

Construction update

2009-10-26T16:37:00.002-04:00

COO Keith Jewell shares the latest on the Indianapolis construction.

Watch our progress! Visit our Facebook album to see changes at the Indianapolis campus.

Media weigh in on construction news

2009-09-29T15:08:00.002-04:00

Recent headlines on the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services' decision to ramp up construction at the Indianapolis campus include:

WIBC: Indianapolis Hospital Calls Off Expansion Halt
Sept. 26, 2009
An Indianapolis hospital is going ahead with a $260 million expansion project that it said six months ago it was halting.

Indianapolis Star: St. Francis Hospital resumes expansion project
Sept. 25, 2009
In a sign the economy is rebounding, St. Francis Hospital and Health Center is resuming construction of a $265 million expansion at its Far-Southside hospital.

Inside Indiana Business: St. Francis to Resume Construction Project
Sept. 25, 2009
St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is resuming a normal construction schedule on an inpatient bed tower at its Indianapolis campus.

Indianapolis Business Journal: St. Francis resumes work on $265M project
Sept. 24, 2009
With its financial performance exceeding expectations, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers will resume construction on a $265 million, 221-bed patient tower at its Indianapolis campus, the hospital system announced Thursday.

Indianapolis construction project picks up pace

2009-09-25T12:34:00.000-04:00

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is moving ahead again on the construction of an inpatient bed tower at its campus on the far south side of Indianapolis.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce construction is resuming with the St. Francis Hospital Indianapolis campus consolidation project,” said Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer. “Construction had been delayed because of the turbulent economic environment. Though at the time, the delay was disappointing, it was determined that a fiscally conservative approach was most appropriate.

“Today the situation has improved,” Brody added. “After careful and ongoing evaluation of key economic indicators and the financial performance of the hospital, the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services Board of Trustees voted to resume the project at full steam ahead. We are most grateful for the board’s confidence and support.”

St. Francis officials last March announced the postponement of the project until there were visible signs of an improved economy.

“Throughout these past long months of unprecedented economic challenges, the dedication, stewardship and loyalty of our St. Francis family has been a guiding and stabilizing influence in our ability to respond positively to the environment while continuing to move our mission forward,” said Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell, who has been overseeing much of the project since its inception in 2007.

Although considerably slowed, the work never did come to a standstill. In recent months, much of the exterior of the bed tower has been finished and some windows and framing put in place.Tonn and Blank Construction of Indianapolis and Michigan City is performing the work.

New features and additions included in the consolidation are:

221 inpatient beds in the six-story bed tower (177 medical-surgical, 30 intensive care, 14 observation)
New and renovated outpatient surgery area, adding 10 new suites, and a café near the waiting area
New and expanded emergency department with 68 treatment rooms, a satellite laboratory, CT scan and ultrasound rooms-- New pharmacy area and expanded lab services
Expanded imaging services
Areas for nursing administration, medical staff offices, medical staff library and respiratory therapy
New hyberbaric chamber used for wound care
New cafeteria
New main entrance located on the east side of the facility

More than 1,600 new parking spaces already have been added at the hospital campus.

The consolidation is part of an overall plan to migrate inpatient and other services from St. Francis-Beech Grove to the Indianapolis hospital.

Recession forces St. Francis to delay Indianapolis project

2009-03-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

Citing the turbulent economy and its reeling effects on south-central Indiana, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has announced postponement of construction at the inpatient bed tower at its Indianapolis campus.

St. Francis officials announced that action March 11, emphasizing that construction will resume as the economy improves.

“Traditionally, hospitals have avoided such economic slumps, but that paradigm no longer exists,” said Robert J. Brody, St. Francis president and chief executive officer. “St. Francis is fortunate that it has a strong financial foundation because of its conservative planning and strong stewardship of its resources. This decision helps to reinforce our sound footing.”

The decision to postpone further construction will help shield the hospital system from the most negative effects of the recession and continue to provide health care to the patients St. Francis serves at not only Indianapolis, but also its campuses in Beech Grove and Mooresville.

At present, the concrete pouring at each of the floors of the inpatient bed tower is nearly complete and work to enclose the exterior is expected to be finished by mid-summer. At that time, the remaining construction will be put on hold. The overall project is about 40 percent complete.

The slowdown of construction and other capital projects is reverberating nationally with hospital systems. The American Hospital Association reported in January that nearly half of hospitals nationwide have put capital projects on hold, and many have stopped projects already in process. A January report from the Healthcare Financial Management Association places the number of postponements or cancellations at an even higher estimate of 78 percent.

Chat addresses your questions about Indianapolis construction, Beech Grove campus

2009-02-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the first St. Francis online chat with Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell. Keith will answer your questions about the Indianapolis construction project and the possible future uses of St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove after medical services are consolidated at the Indianapolis campus in early 2011. The chat will continue until 1 p.m.

As a reminder, this chat session is a real conversation. For this reason, you should observe the same etiquette in the chat session as you would in day-to-day conversation.If you are new to using this site, to post a comment or question, please click on the link that says “Comments.”

Due to the anticipated number of questions and comments posted, there may be a small delay between the time your question is submitted and the time it is viewable on the blog.

Guidelines for posting comments

Please keep comments and questions civil. We will not accept insulting groups or individuals.

Reporters who visit the site and want to pose questions are asked to identify themselves and their news organizations.

St. Francis cannot comment on official business on the part of the cities of Indianapolis, Beech Grove or Greenwood, nor on the Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission. We have extended an invitation to Beech Grove Mayor Joe Wright, who is out of town but at this time is planning to be available on the blog to answer questions relating to the city’s role in the Beech Grove campus redevelopment.

If you have comments or concerns regarding your patient experience at St. Francis, please complete this form to reach our Service Excellence department.

St. Francis COO answers questions about construction

2009-01-20T13:42:00.000-05:00

Whether watching from a downtown Indy skyscraper or seeing the crane as you drive along I-65, you’ve likely seen the construction at the St. Francis Hospital—Indianapolis campus. And, you may want to know more about what this means for your health care, particularly at this uncertain time in the economy.

That’s why we’re opening up this blog to your questions. St. Francis’ Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell will be on hand from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, to answer your questions about the construction project and what it means for medical services on the Indianapolis south side. Please take advantage of this opportunity to join in the conversation.

This chat session is very much a real conversation. For this reason we ask that you observe the same etiquette when participating in the chat session as you would in day-to-day conversation.

Those who would like to post comments should observe some simple conversational guidelines below. St. Francis reserves the right to delete comments we think may be offensive to the audience at large.

If you are unable to participate in the chat session, you can e-mail your questions to the St. Francis Community Relations team by 10 a.m. on Feb 3, and we will address many of your questions during our session.

Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Guidelines for posting comments

Please keep comments and questions civil. We will not accept insulting groups or individuals.
We cannot comment on official business on the part of the cities of Indianapolis, Beech Grove or Greenwood, nor on the Beech Grove Redevelopment Commission.
If you have comments or concerns regarding your patient experience at St. Francis, please complete this form to reach our Service Excellence department.

Construction doesn’t freeze in winter weather

2009-01-14T13:52:00.000-05:00

While Indianapolis braces for bitter wind chills and several inches of snow, construction continues to heat up on the St. Francis Hospital–Indianapolis patient bed tower, where steel soon will be erected on the fourth and fifth floors.

Crews are taking added steps to protect the safety of their teams and the materials during these frigid temperatures, said Brian Phillips, construction manager with Tonn & Blank Construction, who is managing the construction project.

Just like anyone who goes outside, construction crew members take care to dress in layers and protect their skin during hazardous weather. “It’s no different than going skiing,” Phillips said.

What is different is their work day. More than an hour of any work day may be spent simply getting supplies prepped and safely ready to work with. But snow, ice and cold temperatures can get in the way.

“There’s quite a bit of time warming up equipment, de-icing and shoveling snow,” Phillips said.

Other steps must be taken to ensure that construction materials such as fireproofing and concrete do not freeze in below-freezing temperatures. Freeze-guard additives, heaters and construction drapes all help keep products in good working condition.

“Some of the areas actually get pretty warm,” Phillips said. “You’ll see some workers strip off their coats and work in T-shirts, even in this weather.”

Watch the latest on the Indianapolis campus construction

2008-12-30T15:15:00.000-05:00

Construction is under way on the new six-story patient bed tower and expanded Emergency Department at St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis. Learn the latest about the project and what you'll be able to see in winter 2009.

First look at expanded Indianapolis campus

2008-09-26T11:43:00.001-04:00

Preview what the expanded Indianapolis campus will look like when the patient bed tower and expanded emergency department open in 2010.

Medical Office Building Patient Drop-Off Temporarily Closed

2008-09-05T12:39:00.000-04:00

The patient drop-off area on the east side of the Medical Office II Building (5255 E. Stop 11 Rd.) is expected to be closed from Monday to Oct. 6 due to construction.

Patient drop-off will be available on the north side of the building. A pedestrian walkway from the new northeast parking lot to the Medical Office Building II will be in place through out the construction period.

The loading docks and physician parking lot will remain open and can be accessed via the new perimeter road.

Coming this month: Shelters and shuttles and shrubs! Oh, my!

2008-09-02T19:42:00.000-04:00

For several months, shuttle buses have been ferrying patients, employees and visitors to and from the Heart Center and other locations around the campus.

This month, passengers will notice other improvements in that free service. Four shelters will be built in the outlying parking lots on the east/northeast side of the campus, offering riders more security and convenience. Shuttle buses make regular circuits from 5 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. A bus is equipped with a wheelchair lift, can accommodate 12 passengers.

More than 1,600 new parking spaces have been added, bringing the campus total to 3,119.

Other visible signs of progress are taking root in September. Initial landscaping is set to take place with the planting of trees and shrubs, reports Brian Phillips, project director with Tonn and Blank Construction.

St. Francis Webcam live

2008-07-31T10:22:00.001-04:00

Watch our construction in progress. The St. Francis construction Webcam is now live at the Indianapolis campus.

Watch our progress on the new patient tower.

Upon these rocks a hospital addition will be raised

2008-06-20T09:56:00.000-04:00

Construction continues to move steadily along at the Indianapolis campus as workers prepare to lay the foundation for the six-story Bed Tower. A special ceremony – led by Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission services – will take place at 12:15 p.m., Monday, June 23 at the foundation site, near the main entrance to the Heart Center.

Sister Marlene shares the significance of this event and writes:

In September 2007, COO Keith Jewell, Anita Trackwell (clinical services director
at Mooresville) and I made a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, Italy. The purpose
of the pilgrimage was to deepen our knowledge and understanding of our
Franciscan heritage.
While in Assisi, we visited many places where Francis had walked. At all the places we visited, we learned of the significance to Francis and had a prayer service or ritual to make this a part of our lives.
At one place, San Damiano, we were given a stone from the quarry in Assisi. The meaning of this is to remind us that we are built on the foundation of our Franciscan heritage. We decided to bring a rock from the places we visited, and place them in the foundation of the new building on the Indianapolis campus.
We visited the Carceri, a hill top area above Assisi that Francis and his followers often went to pray. Then we toured San Damiano where Francis heard the words of Jesus spoke from the cross – "Francis repair my church for it is falling into ruin." We also visited The Portiuncula, another one of the churches that Francis repaired; La Verna, where Francis received the stigma of Christ; and Greccio where Francis re-enacted the living Nativity.
A rock from each of these places is being placed in the foundation of our new building at the Indianapolis campus. We are truly being built on our Franciscan foundation.

The St. Francis family is invited to attend Monday’s event.

Women & Children Services’ parking lot work begins

2008-06-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

The latest phase of construction gets started in the parking lot near the Women & Children’s Services (WCS) main entrance.

An area of the east side of the lot will be closed to parking this week and is not expected to reopen until July 4, reports WCS Director Lori Warner. Following that, a new phase of construction will begin, designed to combine the WCS and Heart Center parking lots.

St. Francis employees are asked to park in the employee section of the Heart Center lot or the back of the Emergency Department lot during this period.

A temporary north-south walkway will continue to serve as access to the main entrances of the WCS and Heart Center.

Heart Center roundabout will temporarily close

2008-05-22T11:04:00.000-04:00

The roundabout at the entrance of the St. Francis Heart Center will be closed to visitor’ vehicles May 30 and 31 and June 2 to accommodate storm sewer and related drainage work.

Construction workers will be at the site to help direct traffic and to assist patients, visitors and shuttle drivers needing to drop off riders at the Heart Center’s main entrance. They also will be on hand to help drivers needing to pick up patients who are being discharged.

“Any unfinished construction left at the end of each day will be plated to allow for traffic after hours,” says Bryan Cooper of Tonn and Blank Construction. “The area will be well marked with cones, flashing lights and other safety devices.”

The project is needed to blend the parking lots at the Heart Center and Women and Children’s Services.

Progress continues on new bed tower

2008-05-06T13:56:00.000-04:00

Late spring will bring the first outward signs of the six-story patient bed tower on the Indianapolis Campus.

The basement excavation is nearly complete, and the tower crane will be set in early May in anticipation of the steel beams being installed. Steel erection will start in early June, and the building will be enclosed by next spring.

Stoplight update

2008-05-06T13:55:00.000-04:00

New traffic signals are expected to be installed by early summer around the Indianapolis campus.

A traffic signal on Stop 11 Road currently is being installed and will be operational this month.

In addition, plans for installing a traffic signal at the north hospital entrance on Emerson Avenue have been approved by the City of Indianapolis. Five utility poles will need to be relocated before the traffic light can be installed. The Emerson Avenue light should be in by early summer.

'Big dig' underway at Indianapolis campus

2008-03-25T13:58:00.000-04:00

Project leaders with Tonn and Blank Construction report that the “big dig” for the foundation of the new six-story Bed Tower is now under way and it could be up to two weeks before it is completed. The major excavation will take three to five weeks because additional shoring needs to be installed.

The primary excavation should not present any new traffic or parking restrictions.
Automobile access from the north (off Stop 11 Road) on the former perimeter road to the loading dock and the physician parking lots behind Medical Office Buildings I and II will remain open.

However, three building exits facing the now-former Heart Center parking lot will be closed due to the construction, one each at D Wing, the Heart Center and Ambulatory Surgery.

Shuttle service eases parking crunch

2008-03-25T13:54:00.000-04:00

This week's forecast of rainy weather needn't dampen the spirits of Heart Center visitors.

Since the opening of the new Heart Center parking lot, two shuttle buses have been operating on the east side of Indianapolis campus. In most cases, patients, employees and visitors are met by one of the shuttle buses as soon as they park their cars in the new Heart Center lot.

Primarily, passengers are taken to the Heart Center front entrance, where they can access that facility and other parts of the campus. By request, the shuttles will take passengers to other entrances around the hospital campus.

The free shuttle service operates from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. The buses, which can hold up to 12 passengers, are equipped with wheelchair lifts.

Free shuttles shorten the walk

2008-01-28T21:40:00.000-05:00

Since the opening of the new Heart Center parking lot, two shuttle buses have been operating on the east side of Indianapolis campus. In most cases, patients, employees and visitors are met by one of the shuttle buses as soon as they park their cars in the new Heart Center lot. Primarily, passengers are taken to the Heart Center front entrance, where they can access that facility and other parts of the campus. By request, the shuttles will take passengers to other entrances around the St. Francis Hospital—Indianapolis campus.

The shuttle buses – which each accommodate up to 12 passengers – operate from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday. The buses are equipped with a wheelchair lift.

“We offer the shuttle bus service for safety and convenience,” said John Ross, St. Francis—Indianapolis campus administrator. “The drivers make regular circuits through the parking lots and try their best to meet each car to offer a ride to the Heart Center or any other entrance on campus.”

There is never any charge to ride the shuttle buses.

Bed Tower excavation to start

2008-01-28T21:35:00.001-05:00

Primary excavation is set to begin at the site for the new Bed Tower at St. Francis Hospital—Indianapolis campus. Digging will start soon on the site that hosted the former Heart Center parking lot (east side of campus) where a new, six-story inpatient facility will be built.

The primary excavation should not present any new traffic changes or restrictions, as the former Heart Center parking lot and lower half of the east section of the former perimeter road were taken out of service in December. Staging of digging equipment should not interfere with traffic flow in and around the Heart Center.

Automobile access from the north (off Stop 11 Road) on the former perimeter road to the loading dock and the physician parking lots behind Medical Office Buildings I and II will remain open throughout primary excavation.

However, three building exits facing the now-former Heart Center parking lot will be closed due to the construction – one each on D Wing, the Heart Center and Ambulatory Surgery.

Initial phases of the bed tower construction project were completed in late December — most notably the paving and opening of the first new parking area and a new perimeter road — located directly between the Heart Center and I-65.

New parking lot and perimeter road open

2007-12-29T22:27:00.000-05:00

The new parking lot on the southern-most section of the Indianapolis campus is now open to vehicles.

With the opening of the new lot comes the closing of the existing Heart Center parking lot (also known as "Blue Lot #2"). In January, primary excavation for the new Indianapolis Bed Tower will begin in that lot.

The new lot will serve as the primary parking area for Heart Center patients and visitors (as well as physicians and staff) who have recently been parking in the Heart Center lot or the Green lots to the north and east of Medical Office Building #2.

The new perimeter road and a new driveway are also open for traffic. The road extends east toward I-65, curves north, then extends west to near the current Stop 11 Rd. entrance. The permanent driveway leads exclusively to the Heart Center entrance.

Manhole excavation moves to Women & Children’s parking lot

2007-12-13T13:47:00.000-05:00

Starting Dec. 13, excavation work in the Women & Children’s lot (also known as “Blue Lot #1) will occur that will have temporary impact on parking there. This work is expected to conclude around Jan. 20.

However, the work will be done in sections so that only a few parking spaces will be taken out of service at a time. When work is completed on one section, parking spaces will be restored in that section before other W&C lot spaces will be taken out of service.

Handicapped and physician reserved spaces will be moved as needed during this project.

New parking lot, perimeter road to open soon

2007-12-11T09:17:00.000-05:00

UPDATED DEC. 13: The opening of the new Perimeter Rd., the closing of the old Perimeter Rd. and the elimination of the Blue (Heart Center) Lot has been changed to Saturday, Dec. 22. Visiting our campus? Download our newest map.

Paving work began Dec. 3 on the southern-most section of the new Indianapolis campus parking lot. The new lot will be open for vehicles on Dec. 20, the targeted completion date for this latest phase of the Indianapolis Campus construction.

Opening the new lot will enable construction to proceed on the existing Heart Center parking lot (also known as “Blue Lot #2”), which will be taken out of service on Dec. 20 when the new lot opens. Primary excavation for the new Indianapolis Bed Tower is slated to begin there in January.

Heart Center staff, physicians, patients and visitors who currently park in the Heart Center lot or the Green lots to the north and east of MOB II will use the new lot as their main parking area.
“We appreciate the flexibility and patience demonstrated by those whose customary parking was disrupted by the early phase of new parking lot construction,” said John Ross, Indianapolis campus administrator. “The new lot will have more spaces than the current Heart Center lot, the former gravel area across from the Heart Center and the northeast section of the Green lot combined, so there will be room for everyone working at or visiting the Heart Center.”

At the same time, the new perimeter road -- which extends east toward I-65, curves north and then extends west to near the current Stop 11 Road entrance – will also open for traffic. A new permanent driveway leading exclusively to the Heart Center entrance will also open on Dec. 20.

Video: Changes Coming to St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis

2007-12-10T11:24:00.000-05:00

Changes are coming to St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis. This winter, construction will begin on a six-story patient bed tower. Learn how this will help health care on Indy's south side.

Sneak peak at the Indianapolis campus

2007-11-16T14:35:00.000-05:00

The planned 6-story bed tower at Indianapolis campus will feature a relocated and expanded Emergency Department. The new structure is planned to be located next to the Heart Center, on the east side of the campus.

Utility digging starts this week; Road, parking lot work progresses

2007-10-29T16:45:00.000-04:00

Excavation starts this week for trenches that will house utility lines at the Indianapolis campus, in continued preparation for building a new bed tower/emergency department facility.

The utility digging is expected to continue through the end of the year and includes these locations on southeast sections of Indianapolis campus:

North of the Heart Center main entrance (starting on/about Oct. 31)
South of the Heart Center main entrance (starting on/about Nov. 15)
Through the middle of the Women & Children’s (Blue) parking lot (starting on/about Nov. 21)

Some sidewalks outside the Heart Center will be temporarily closed during this work, but patients, employees, physicians and visitors will still have sidewalk access to the Heart Center entrance from adjacent parking areas. The parking area behind the medical office buildings will remain open throughout the excavation process.

Lane restrictions will occur when this digging extends across the perimeter road, but no full road closures are anticipated during this phase of the project.

Areas of the Women & Children’s lot will be closed/reopened as the utility digging there occurs.

On-campus signage will also inform physicians, patients, staff and visitors of these construction projects when and where they occur.

Work on the southernmost section of the new parking area and the new, extended perimeter road continues on schedule. Plans call for this work to be completed by mid-December.

Notice of public hearings

2007-09-12T14:50:00.000-04:00

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers will hold two public meetings, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1, and Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Classrooms 1 and 2, located on the first floor of the Ancillary Services building at the St. Francis-Indianapolis campus, 8111 S. Emerson Ave. (Park in the yellow lot.)

In compliance with IC 16-21-2-11.5, these meetings will discuss the planned $265 million construction project at the Indianapolis campus that is scheduled to be completed by mid-year 2010. The project will include a relocated emergency room, six-story inpatient tower, new surgical suites and additional space for support services. This will allow for relocation of inpatient services from St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove. These include but are not limited to cancer care, rehabilitation, medical-surgical and adult critical care services.

Construction trailers moving on to the Indianapolis Campus

2007-08-20T09:08:00.000-04:00

In the coming weeks, weather permitting, several improvements will be made to the Indianapolis campus, including:

Underground utilities will be relocated to the east side of the Indianapolis campus.
A new perimeter road will be constructed. It should be completed by the end of the year.
Work will begin on new parking lots, beginning with the southern-most portion. Those should also be completed by the end of this year.

Visitors and patients should know:

Access to the Women & Children’s Center, the Heart Center, and physician parking behind the medical office buildings will not be affected.
There should be little to no impact on Indianapolis campus operations.

Stoplights planned for Stop 11, Emerson roads

2007-08-02T15:50:00.000-04:00

New homes mean more traffic.

The construction boom in south Indianapolis and Greenwood has led to longer commutes for drivers using Emerson and Stop 11 roads.

To help with congestion, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers is working with city officials, Indianapolis Power & Light and engineering firms to install needed traffic lights on both Emerson Avenue and Stop 11 Road.

A stoplight on Stop 11, near the east entrance to St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis and the entrance to Indiana Heart Physicians, should be installed by winter 2007. A traffic study last year verified that a traffic signal was needed there. After a utility pole is relocated, work will begin to install the light.

In addition, St. Francis and A&F Engineering filed a request to add a traffic light at the north entrance of the Indianapolis campus on Emerson Avenue in July. Another traffic study will be required at this intersection, however, the light will likely be installed by summer 2008.

Plans for St. Francis Hospital-Beech Grove

2007-07-16T15:45:00.000-04:00

You have likely heard about plans to consolidate our Beech Grove and Indianapolis inpatient services -- along with many outpatient and ancillary services – at our Indianapolis campus. The commitment of the Sisters of St. Francis to serve the people of southern Marion County, Beech Grove and south central Indiana is as strong today as it was when the Sisters were invited here nearly 100 years ago.

St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers plans to continue its long-term commitment to the people of Beech Grove, where services have been available since 1914. Plans call for necessary and appropriate outpatient services to be located at Beech Grove, either in existing or new facilities.

Indianapolis, Beech Grove to Consolidate Services

2007-07-06T13:13:00.000-04:00

You have likely heard about long-range plans to consolidate our Beech Grove and Indianapolis inpatient services – along with many outpatient and ancillary services – at our Indianapolis campus. Since 1989, when the land was purchased for where the Indianapolis campus now resides, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers has been planning the evolution in meeting the health care needs of a growing and changing population.

An important step in this evolution occurred recently when the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services board of trustees approved our plans to consolidate services at the Indianapolis campus.

Hospital leaders, physicians, and clinical and support staff have been working many months to develop these plans to enable us to continue and extend our health care ministry for decades to come. We anticipate that all construction projects in the consolidation would be complete in 2010.

Planned new facilities at Indianapolis campus include (but are not limited to):

A brand-new six-story inpatient bed tower
Expanded and relocated Emergency Department
Enhanced Imaging facilities and equipment
Additional Inpatient Surgery operating suites
1,000 additional parking spaces

Other health care entities continue building new facilities, adding capacity to already well-served areas. St. Francis is taking an approach of providing modern facilities, the newest technology and state-of-the-art, compassionate care in our existing market while reducing the square footage to provide those services. This will control the overall cost of providing care, helping us to meet the growing needs of those we will continue to serve.