All private rooms coming to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan

Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan received approval Tuesday for an $18 million renovation that paves the way to the hospital containing all private rooms, officials said.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted 7-1 to approve Vista East's plans, which include modernization on floors two through four and minor cosmetic improvements on the fifth floor.

Currently, 128 medical surgical beds and 11 pediatric beds are in semiprivate rooms, but after renovations, those beds will all be in private rooms.

In total, Vista East has 228 beds.

"Converting to all-private rooms will be a tremendous benefit for our patients and their family members, as well as for our physicians, nurses and entire clinical staff," said Barbara Martin, president & CEO of Vista Health System, in a news release. "Private rooms are the standard in today's hospitals, so we're excited to move forward as soon as possible."

The pediatric unit will be in a distinct and separated area as required by the Illinois Department of Public Health, state officials said.

In total, Vista East is modernizing 65,110 square feet of space. Legat Architects is designing the renovation plans.

The project required state approval because it is over a threshold of $12.7 million.

Other renovations at Vista East in recent years have included a new progressive care unit, a new same day surgery unit, a new wound care center, an expanded intensive care unit, and an expanded maternity-birthing unit.

Officials say the start date for construction will be announced soon. The project is targeted for completion by December 2017.