Following her remarks, Coffman invited guests to tour the new facility, which includes 12 surgery suites, 24 private pre-op rooms, 18 recovery rooms and 15 rooms with overnight-stay capabilities. They are joined by a host of supporting departments and services including pre-operative and post-operative care, surgical sterilization, imaging, lab, pharmacy, physical therapy, food service, environmental services and more.
“Some buildings are a monument to architecture. This surgery center, which is among the most technologically advanced of its kind in the region, is also a monument to cutting-edge healthcare,” STHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Torcson said. “From the robotic systems that will assist our surgeons; to the advanced surgical instrument processing equipment installed therein; to the robust IT presence throughout, every square inch of this building incorporates technology and innovation on a scale unmatched in the community.”
Among the procedures to be performed at the center starting in January 2025 will be an array of pediatric and adult general surgeries, including orthopedic and gynecological procedures; hand surgery; ear, nose and throat surgery; breast reconstruction; and many others.
Assisting local surgeons in those procedures will be some of the most state-of-the-art surgical equipment available, including the Da Vinci robotic surgical assistant, which is used in pelvic and urologic surgeries; and the Stryker Mako system, used in knee and hip replacements.
Additionally, all wet areas – including patient bathrooms – are equipped with patented Indigo-Clean lighting, which use visible light to kill a wide variety of viruses and bacteria.
Similar leading-edge technology is in use throughout the building.
“But it is important to remember that none of this would be possible if not for the human beings behind it all,” health system Vice President of Surgical Services Nancy Ledet said. “For us, that includes a passionate and dedicated surgical team, the members of which played crucial roles in ensuring this new facility not only meets but exceeds the already-high standards of St. Tammany Health System.”
St. Tammany Health Foundation’s Healing Arts Initiative has additionally outfitted the first-floor space with multiple installations, including a large-scale lobby mural by local artist Zac Maras. Other installations feature the work of local artists Cindi Guillot, Inga Falterman and Craig McMillan.
Conveniently located less than two miles south of the health system’s 281-bed acute-care St. Tammany Parish Hospital, the new St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center will employ 123 people when fully staffed. That number will include a round-the-clock presence from the health system’s anesthesiology department.
Clinical capabilities planned for the center and scope of the project were developed according to national best practices for high reliability, efficiency and safety for patients, STHS team members, visitors and vendors.
The new St. Tammany Health System Surgery Center is located at 16282 Louisiana 1085 (Bootlegger Road) in Covington.
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About St. Tammany Health System
The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and Ochsner Health work together in partnership to improve the community’s health and quality of life. Together, west St. Tammany’s top two independent health leaders represent the most complete system of care, aligning behind the common goals of improving access, expanding specialty care and making care affordable. Under their agreement, each retains its autonomy; neither manages nor owns the other. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is A+ rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health.