■ Healthcare
■ Healthcare
The entire design and layout of the hospital was crafted with input from the staff . Lorino said the medical professionals ’ experiences combatting the deadly coronavirus figured prominently in several design changes . For example , Lorino said the oxygen tanks were re-envisioned due to COVID . The huge percentage of patients who had to be intubated strained the facility ’ s oxygen supplies . Oxygen was often scarce during the pandemic and supplies were limited by the storage tank capacity . Consequently , the new Valley Hospital almost tripled the size of its tanks . “ I call it the silver lining of COVID ,” Lorino said .
Extraordinary design touches grace the facility . Panels from the landmark mural that once welcomed shoppers to Alexander ’ s department store will be installed on the hospital grounds . The famed department store helped established Paramus as a shopping mecca on the East Coast . Valley recently acquired the mural which had been in storage since the store closed decades go . Valley intends to pay homage to the hospital ’ s rich history with a curated display of photographs near the entrance .
The facility is a candidate for designation as a Gold LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) Healthcare Project by the U . S . Green Building Council . To achieve the ranking , the new Valley will distinguish itself by relying on 14 percent less energy than a typical hospital . Water usage will also be cut by 35 percent . Many of these environmental strides are attributable to the on-site co-generation plant . Co-generation is a highly efficient process that uses one fuel to generate two types of energy . By capturing and using heat that would otherwise go to waste , cogeneration reduces the overall fuel consumed in the process .
Construction of a sunny , welcoming atrium in progress .
Kathleen McDonough , director of operations and logistics , shows how the giant 75-inch monitors will display information for the patients . Each room is equipped with the latest technology , as well a comfort features , such as the daybed to create a warm and welcoming space .
A smart , sustainable design was used throughout to minimize waste and preserve natural resources . For instance , the 1,500-space parking garage features an expansive green roof – one of two incorporated into the project .
Layout and Design
Careful consideration was given to design of each floor to improve efficiency , patient care and access . On the lower floors that house the
Photo : Russ DeSantis Photo and Video emergency department , operating rooms and cardiac treatment units , the floors are 15 to 18 feet high to provide ample space for the mechanical components and utilities .
Lorino said the frontline staff ’ s recommendations resulted in locating the radiology and diagnostic imaging adjacent to the emergency department . Experience taught the staff that proper treatment of emergency patients relies on x-rays and other imaging work , making their access key . Co-locating the two departments made perfect sense , Lorino said .
Based on Valley ’ s caseloads at its existing facility , the new hospital doubled the size of its emergency department also . There will be 80 emergency treatment rooms at the new Valley . Each will be separated with walls and doors – gone are the track curtains that define traditional emergency cubicles .
Emergency patients suffering heart distress can be easily routed to the second-floor cardiac treatment unit via a dedicated elevator specially situated beside the ambulance bay . Throughout the facility there will be 23 elevators – many of which will be designated for specific purposes , such as visitors , staff , food delivery and other operational needs .
Patient Care
Patients and visitors will be struck by the innovations and latest technologies available in the 370 private rooms . White dry-erase boards that usually communicate the latest patient information were cast aside as relics at the new Valley Hospital . Even the call buttons that
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Photo : Russ DeSantis Photo and Video
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