The 16-story Plaza West Tower at Barnes-Jewish Hospital will welcome patients beginning in October, providing private rooms for heart and vascular patients, advanced imaging and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery.
The facility offers 224 private inpatient rooms and 56 private intensive care unit rooms, advanced imaging and the latest in surgical preparation and recovery.
“BJC and WashU Medicine are where patients turn when answers can’t be found elsewhere,” said Nick Barto, BJC Health System president.
“The Plaza West Tower represents the power of academic medicine combined with our unwavering commitment to elevating patient care and improving the health of the communities we serve. It is an outstanding beacon in the community of all BJC and WashU represent.”
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, WashU Medicine, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Missouri Baptist Hospital’s Graduate Medical Education consortium is one of the largest in the United States, offering 111 accredited programs and providing 1,476 residents and fellows the opportunity to train alongside specialists who are driving innovation and shaping the future of medicine.
“Plaza West Tower strengthens the ability of WashU Medicine and BJC to deliver world-class care,” said Dr. Paul Scheel, CEO of WashU Medicine Physicians and president of WashU Medicine and BJC HealthCare Physician Provider Organization.
“In this new space, WashU Medicine physicians will work seamlessly with multidisciplinary care teams, providing patients with expert, coordinated treatment — all in a supportive environment.”
The tower includes expanded critical care bed space for patients awaiting or recovering from advanced treatments including heart transplants, valve repairs or replacements and minimally invasive procedures. In addition, state-of-the-art imaging capabilities and utilization of the latest technologies will improve surgical flow and enhance patient experience.
“The growing demand for critical care requires facilities that are as sophisticated and innovative as the care that we offer,” said Dr. John Lynch, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
“The enhancements in Plaza West Tower are designed to foster collaboration among caregivers, which ultimately benefits our patients.”
Design elements of Plaza West Tower also include:
- Advanced bedside technology, allowing caregivers to spend more time with patients
- Family-friendly spaces to keep loved ones close and comfortable, including a family area with a kitchenette, rest areas, showers, laundry room and new cafeteria
- Two outdoor rooftop gardens and panoramic views of Forest Park from quiet seating areas on every inpatient floor
- A calming environment with natural light, art, and views — all evidence-based elements for faster healing and reduced stress
More than 3,700 architects, engineers, project managers, skilled trades men and women, apprentices and interns were engaged in the construction of the tower, providing significant economic impact to the region in addition to the clinical and patient benefits the project brings.