Ambitious remodeling project under way at Swedish Edmonds

EDMONDS — Swedish Edmonds is embarking on an aggressive expansion course to meet the needs of south Snohomish County.

“We are looking to take the hospital to the next level,” said David Jaffe, chief executive at Swedish Edmonds. “We are all about the community and putting the patient first, serving them and their needs.”

It’s not surprising that the Swedish Edmonds campus is a construction zone. The roadmap was set in September 2010 when an agreement was signed to have Swedish take over the day-to-day operations of the tax-supported hospital.

At that time Swedish made a promise to meet the growing needs of the community. That involved making a capital investment in the campus.

An $11 million Swedish Cancer Institute facility was completed in 2013. A $12 million electronic medical record system upgrade went live in 2012. Robotic- assisted surgeries began in 2011 with a $2.5 million installation.

Now a new $63.5 million building and remodeling project is under way. The 40,368-square-foot first floor will house the emergency department, an urgent care center and an outpatient diagnostic imaging center. The 37,000-square-foot second floor is being considered as a possible site for operating room suites.

This expansion is the most ambitious since the 9-story patient tower opened in 1972. The original 1964 hospital cost $1 million to construct.

“Edmonds and all of South Snohomish County benefit from the marvelous expansion of the Swedish Edmonds campus for our health care needs,” said Edmonds’ Mayor Dave Earling. “Just as important, Swedish is fulfilling their promised commitment.”

The new building will contain a new emergency room and an urgent care facility.

The current emergency room, originally designed for 25,000 patient visits per year, is now seeing more than 43,000 people. The new emergency room will have the capacity to serve 55,000 patients per year. It is being structured as a Level IV Trauma Center serving patients who are having chest pains, breathing difficulties, broken bones or head injuries.

Nine observation beds will be included to monitor patients for up to 48 hours, without having to admit them into the hospital.

“Adding the Urgent Care component is the responsible thing to do,” said Jaffe. “With this expansion it will be the right setting at an affordable cost.”

Slated to open late in 2015, Urgent Care services will be aimed at serving patients with non-life threatening ailments, high fevers and sprained joints for example.

“With both options on one campus, we will be able to meet most critical needs,” Jaffe said.

An outpatient imaging center is also included in the plans. It is scheduled to open early in 2016 in the space currently occupied by the emergency room.

With the additions and refurbishing of the campus patient experience and satisfaction with the facility’s atmosphere is taking a lead role with lots of public spaces and a new welcoming entry, Jaffe said.

A multi-purpose room will serve the community with offerings ranging from Pilates and cooking classes to lectures about health-oriented and non-health related topics.

“It is to be a place where the community can come, even if they are not sick, for an experience or education,” Jaffe said. “As a community hospital, we want to be a community resource in health and beyond.”

A wide, sweeping driveway with a water wall 20 feet wide and 15 feet high will greet visitors. For convenience a three-story parking garage offers 363 spaces of free parking. Plantings and landscaping will reflect the Edmonds environment.

Art installations will reflect the area. A driftwood wall in the atrium entryway is being designed using reclaimed wood from Puget Sound. The atrium fireplace surround is emblazoned with fossils. On the wall woodcuts of historical photos will illustrate the area’s past.

“Edmonds is a special place,” Jaffe said. “It is close knit and passionate about the hospital. It has a pristine environment and is committed to the arts. We are committed to capturing the spirit of Edmonds in this project while creating the ultimate patient experience.”