Saint Michael's Medical Center Makes Investments to Upgrade and Modernize Hospital

Saint Michael’s Medical Center has invested more than $21 million in upgrades to systems and medical equipment that will make the Newark hospital one of the most technologically advanced in the region.

“Saint Michael’s was already on the technological forefront when it was sold to Prime Healthcare Services in May, and the investments will further provide patients with the latest life-saving technologies,” said Robert Iannaccone, the CEO of Saint Michael’s. The investments range from new systems for electronic health care records, new monitoring devices and the latest cancer treatment equipment.

“We are accomplishing what would typically be a five-year capital plan in less than eight months,” said Dr. Claudia Komer, the chief medical officer. “This will allow our medical staff to have the latest technology and allow us to provide the highest quality care to our patients.”

In the operating room, among the new equipment being installed are operating towers, monitors with a higher resolution that will allow surgeons a clearer vision, endoscopic towers, image intensifier systems, also known as C-arms, which are used to assess the complexity of fractures, guide the surgical procedure, and verify the results of surgical repair in real time.

In radiology, the hospital is replacing its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, it’s CT scanner, and upgrading two ultrasound machines. The hospital is also replacing two digital radiographic suites and purchasing three state-of-the-art portable radiology machines that allow for bedside imaging.

The equipment that monitors patients’ vital signs, also known as telemetry, has been replaced with the latest technology throughout the hospital with one common system that will ensure consistency. The hospital was rewired to accommodate the new system.

The Cancer Center at Saint Michael’s is getting a new linear accelerator, a device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for patients with cancer. The device delivers high-energy x-rays that can be customized to destroy cancer cells and spare healthy tissue.

Saint Michael’s is also investing in Epic, one of the leading Electronics Medical Records systems that will help improve patient safety and satisfaction and allow different departments within the hospital, doctors, pharmacies as well as community health organizations to better share information.

The hospital is also upgrading its supply distribution and tracking system that will create savings and efficiencies in the supply chain.

Iannaccone said the hospital also has plans to make investments that will directly impact on patients and visitors, such as new beds, room furniture and upgrade waiting rooms and public spaces.

Prime Healthcare originally promised to invest $25 million in the hospital over its first five years of ownership as a condition of state approval, then doubled its commitment to $50 million as part of the purchase agreement.

“Our goal is to make Saint Michael’s one of the safest hospitals in the region where patients feel welcomed, are treated with respect and, most importantly, get well,” Iannaccone said. “These investments are a big step in that direction.”