Same Day Surgery Space Grows

Same Day Surgery patients at Avera St. Luke’s are finding bigger rooms, more privacy, added convenience and a lot more space after completion of a $2 million project in late 2008 .

Same Day Surgery and the surgery recovery area, known as the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), moved into 10,396 square feet of undeveloped space on the first floor of the new southeast addition. This 70,000-square-foot addition, completed several years ago, already houses the BirthPlace on the fourth floor, a new Intensive Care Unit on the third floor, and physician clinics on the second floor.

The Same Day Surgery area, which serves more than 3,000 patients each year at Avera St. Luke’s, grew from 15 to 22 rooms. A large waiting area, pediatric playroom, reception area and four dual-purpose rooms that can be used for pre-op and post-op recovery are highlights of the new Surgery Center. A corridor along the south side of the hospital addition features the large, distinctive windows that can now be seen from the outside.

“It’s so nice. We’re just very excited to have such a beautiful new area,” said Nina Vilhauer, nurse manager of Same Day Surgery and PACU. “The biggest advantage is enhancement of privacy.” Every two rooms share a bathroom, and patient rooms have doors instead of curtains. Nurse server cabinets located in each room allow for convenient storage. Each room has a new flat-screen TV.

“Our customer service will continue to focus on providing ‘above and beyond’ patient care,” Vilhauer said. “Having this new, modern area will certainly add to the patient satisfaction as we continue to provide quality service.”

In addition, Avera St. Luke’s Surgery Center has undergone other remodeling and changes, including a new minimally-invasive surgery suite, call rooms, staff lounge and additional storage.