Edward addition to ease Naperville hospital's 'chronic overflow'

Article updated: 7/1/2014 4:58 AM

The medical and surgical intensive care unit at Edward Hospital in Naperville has been in a "chronic overflow state" for the past few years, but officials say that soon will ease with the opening of a $63.7 million addition.

The two-story addition atop the hospital's west building gives doctors and nurses space to treat nine more adult intensive care patients at a time in larger rooms with updated technology.

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"We are moving from a 13-bed unit to a 24-bed unit," Jean Rader, director of inpatient and orthopedic/spine services, said about the new area on the fourth floor. "It's giving the nurses a lot bigger spaces to be able to work on their patients."

The 86,500-square-foot addition also creates a new 36-bed Orthopedic and Spine Center for those recovering from surgeries on joints including hips, knees and shoulders.

Each room has built-in lift equipment to help nurses move patients whose mobility is limited and a specially designed chair for patients to strengthen surgically replaced joints, said Lynn Cochran, associate vice president for operations.

"We're really excited about the new technology in our new rooms," Cochran said.

The hospital will move patients into the new Orthopedic and Spine Center on July 8 and transfer patients into the new intensive care unit July 9, she said.

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Edward addition to ease Naperville hospital's 'chronic overflow'