Lutheran General begins $40 million expansion

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital broke ground Thursday on an 18-month, $40 million project to expand the Emergency Room, Level 1 Trauma Center and the Surgery Department.

Hospital officials say the construction is in response to an increase in the volume of patients, as well as the complexity of care they require. In 2012, the hospital had 63,307 emergency room visits.

“By expanding our Emergency Department and operating suites, we are addressing current capacity challenges and preparing for the future,” said Barbara Weber, interim president and chief operating officer of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

“Both of these new, high tech environments will allow us to better care for our patients, as well as better preserve their dignity and privacy.”

The same will be true for children.

“Having a dedicated space for emergency care in our new design for pediatric families and patients, will enhance our care model and patient experience,” said Mike Farrell, president of Advocate Children's Hospital.

The number of general treatment stations in the ER will increase from 30 to 37.

“Having participated in a major ED renovation and expansion project 10 years ago, I saw first hand the direct impact a project of this nature can have on improving service and care to our patients,” said Dr. Douglas Propp, chairman of emergency medicine.

The number of operating rooms will increase from 24 to 26 and the new rooms will support complex surgery cases, in particular, minimally-invasive robotic surgery. The project also includes a new loading dock and a modernized Materials Management Department.

Advocate Lutheran General is the only Level 1 trauma center in the Northwest suburbs, with the next nearest one being Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.