The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, on Tuesday, March 11, approved University of Iowa Health Care's request to proceed with project planning for:

• New children's hospital – estimated 600,000 square feet
• New critical care tower, related renovations—including conversion of all inpatient rooms to private rooms – estimated 800,000 square feet
• Improved access, parking, and traffic flow – planning will begin immediately

The strategic master facilities plan will meet health care needs of 21st century patients and families by:

• Accommodating projected growth in the number of patients, surgeries, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and imaging and laboratory analyses
• Developing single patient rooms that meet the need for privacy, infection control, increased technology, and space for families to participate in healing
• Building operating suites with more sophisticated electrical, mechanical and information systems
• Meeting increased space requirements for teaching and clinical research

The Board asked that UI Health Care leaders ensure that planning include special attention to improving patient and family experiences, including access to the main campus, parking, and possibly taking some portion of the ambulatory care services off the main campus.

Vice President for Medical Affairs Jean Robillard, MD, assured the Board that these issues are top of mind with the leaders and will be addressed as planning goes forward. He noted that preliminary planning is already underway for taking a significant amount of ambulatory/clinic care off the main campus.

Project costs are estimated between $700 million to $850 million. However, cost figures, timing, and financing options will be developed and refined as planning proceeds. As with past capital improvement projects, no state capital appropriated dollars will be involved. The project will be financed with a combination of building usage funds, future patient revenues, the sale of hospital revenue bonds, and philanthropy.

The proposed children's hospital and critical care towers will be developed west of UI Hospital and Clinic's General Hospital and Boyd Tower and linked to existing hospital facilities for use of common clinical services and support functions. Further planning will determine the exact position for the new buildings on the site and how they will be connected to existing UI Hospitals and Clinics buildings. The proposal calls for the demolition of the Center for Disabilities and Development building and Parking Ramp 1. Planning for relocation of services provided within the CDD building and replacement parking will be included in the overall plan.

Nationally, the standard of care at leading academic medical centers includes children's hospitals in separate facilities. Hospital services for children will be planned and designed with the needs of children and their families as the primary consideration to ensure that facilities, wayfinding, furniture, artwork, equipment, supplies, personnel, and communications are age-appropriate and sensitive to the patients and families. The proposed children's hospital tower would include:

• Replacement acute and critical care nursing units
• Specialty outpatient clinics
• Diagnostic and therapeutic units
• Operating rooms designed for children
• Select clinical and administrative support offices and teaching facilities

The proposed critical care tower would include:

• Replacement intensive care, special care, and step-down inpatient units
• Inpatient operating rooms
• Diagnostic and interventional procedural units
• Facilities and support services 

Under the preliminary timeline, planning and necessary approvals will continue through 2009 and construction would begin in 2010. The children's hospital and critical care towers would be ready for occupancy in 2013. Renovation, replacement facilities, etc. would continue through 2035. Parking, utilities, and roadways would be constructed in conjunction with overall project.

For more information:

Jean Robillard, MD

Vice President for Medical Affairs