James Krantz was among the 62 patients moved into Vanderbilt’s new Critical Care Tower on Saturday, Nov. 14. Taking care of Krantz on his journey to the new Surgical Intensive Care Unit are, from left, Deborah Franklin, Blair Steinberger, Lacey Butcher, R.N., and Elisabeth Lee, M.D. (photo by Joe Howell)
Last Saturday, the Critical Care Tower accepted its first patients as 62 people from the medical, surgical and neurological intensive care units moved into the addition. The carefully coordinated move took about six hours, and every patient was moved safely to his or her new room.
The 11-story, $169 million expansion to Vanderbilt University Hospital houses 102 patient beds and 12 new operating rooms. The move marks the end of three years of planning and construction. (all photos by Joe Howell)
During the move into the new Critical Care Tower on Saturday, Nov. 14, care team members, from left, Bryan Koonse, Michael Bell and Lucyellen Dahlgren, R.N., transport patient John Richardson.
No detail was overlooked in planning for the patient move, including having extra personnel on hand to operate the elevators.
Danny Ball, R.N., right, goes over move logistics in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit with, from left, Shannon Trout, Keantra Smith, Amber Kimbro and Melody Purvis.
Kristy Instinski, R.N., right, and care partner Josh Viele make sure equipment is functioning properly.
Respiratory Care’s Vanessa Hennings-Williams, right, makes sure patient Deborah Guffey is comfortable on her way to the new Surgical Intensive Care Unit.
NICU charge nurse Misty Ashby, R.N., helps coordinate the transport of patients.
Ferrol Thomas, R.N., tracks patient admissions during the move.