Cooperman Family Pavilion Ushers In New Era Of Family-Centered Care At Saint Barnabas Medical Center

LIVINGSTON, N.J., Sept. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Saint Barnabas Medical Center, a flagship facility of RWJBarnabas Health, unveiled a soaring, five-story, 241,000 square-foot addition to the Livingston medical center this week. Saint Barnabas Medical Center, renowned for its high-quality clinical care and medical services, received a $25 million gift from Leon and Toby Cooperman, which provided the catalyst for the construction of the vast expansion to the medical center, to be named the Cooperman Family Pavilion.

"The extraordinary Cooperman Family Pavilion exemplifies the remarkable care that is provided at this award-winning medical center," said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJBarnabas Health. "This new addition will not only advance the health and well-being of the communities we serve, but also offer an environment that will improve the patient experience and mirror the level of clinical innovation and family-centered care that has become a mainstay at Saint Barnabas Medical Center."

The Cooperman Family Pavilion, with its towering glass entrance, will become the new point of entry for all patients and visitors to the medical center. The beautiful, natural light-infused building reflects evidence-based approaches to promoting healing and improving care. The pavilion will encompass 114 new private rooms; an expansive 56-bassinet Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which is five times the size of the previous NICU; many of the outpatient diagnostic services, including non-invasive cardiology, cardiopulmonary and neuro diagnostics lab, endoscopy lab and pre-admission testing; a central registration area; and a same-day surgery suite lounge. A new, three-story parking garage also has been built to accommodate more than 400 vehicles.

"The Cooperman Family Pavilion was designed specifically to create a more comfortable and healing environment for our patients, one that encourages families and caregivers to be active participants in the healing process," said Stephen P. Zieniewicz, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer for Saint Barnabas Medical Center. "In the Cooperman Family Pavilion, our private rooms can accommodate a family member for an overnight stay; many of our rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light; and we have family conference areas and waiting rooms available to offer inclusionary, private spaces. All of these amenities are critical in offering the most comforting environment to stimulate healing," he explained. 

In designing the Cooperman Family Pavilion, the design team worked with the project architects, under the direction of Francis Cauffman, and researched industry best practices in building a healthier hospital with the primary focus on family-centered care and a healing environment. Patients, family members, community members, physicians and staff all provided their suggestions and input in designing the expansion with amenities and elements that would lower the risk of falls, decrease noise, increase natural lighting, increase access to patients and provide welcoming, home-like environments. Design details include curb-free showers to prevent falls, acoustical materials to lessen noise and hybrid operating suites that allow surgeons to transfer easily from minimally invasive to open procedures.

The plan for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was influenced by the Patient Advisory Council, which brings together former patients' families for their perspective on how to provide better care and services to families in the NICU. Based on this information, the NICU will have a series of single rooms in a pod design that allows families to bond with their baby within a few steps of nearby medical staff. There also will be two new family rooms that offer parents the opportunity to "sleep over" and care for their baby within the hospital environment prior to their discharge, further reducing anxiety and facilitating the transition home.

"We understood the value of speaking with our patients and families about what they wanted and needed in a hospital environment," said Mr. Zieniewicz. "The project has truly been collaborative and I firmly believe we have the right amenities, structures and state-of-the-art technologies to provide the ultimate in patient care for our communities for the future."

For more information about the Cooperman Family Pavilion which officially opens on September 18, 2017, please visit here. For more on Saint Barnabas Medical Center, please visit here.

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cooperman-family-pavilion-ushers-in-new-era-of-family-centered-care-at-saint-barnabas-medical-center-300519710.html

SOURCE Saint Barnabas Medical Center