COVINGTON, La. – The STHS Board of Commissioners approved plans at its September meeting to develop a new $75 million surgical center adjacent to the existing Paul D. Cordes Outpatient Pavilion at 16300 Highway 1085 (Bootlegger Road), south of Covington. The project will begin with preliminary property work this fall and final construction completion in summer 2023.
“A comprehensive surgical center adjacent to the Cordes Pavilion has been a strategic goal for us for a long time, as technology brings more surgery to the one-day arena,” STHS President/CEO Joan Coffman explained. “As the COVID-19 pandemic changes how we deliver care, we are taking bold steps to develop environments that support our patients’ needs and deliver the world-class care they know and trust.”
Recent advancements in technology and recruitment of highly skilled specialists at St. Tammany Health System and its partner Ochsner Health have increased the volume of surgeries that can be accomplished in a 23-hour stay.
“While day procedures can be performed at main campus, it’s more convenient to patients and more efficient for operations to move those types of procedures to a surgery center and maintain the main campus operating rooms for highly advanced surgeries we and our partner Ochsner are performing close to home on the Northshore today,” Coffman added.
Developers will build a new building adjacent to the Cordes Pavilion to host 12 surgery suites, supporting departments and services including pre-operative and post-operative care, overnight stay beds, surgical sterilization, imaging, lab, pharmacy, rehabilitation, food service, environmental and other services.
Clinical capabilities planned for the center and scope of the project are being developed according to national best practices for high reliability, efficiency and safety for patients, STHS team members, visitors and vendors.
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The heartbeat of its community, St. Tammany Health System cares for patients and families with excellence, compassion and teamwork. It is recognized for quality, safety and service excellence by CareChex, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, Hospital Compare, Women’s Choice and US News & World Report. St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and Ochsner Health work together in partnership to improve the community’s health and quality of life. Together, west St. Tammany’s top two independent health leaders represent the most complete system of care, aligning behind the common goals of improving access, expanding specialty care and making care affordable. Under their agreement, each retains its autonomy; neither manages nor owns the other. Self-supporting, not-for-profit STHS is AA- rated by Fitch and receives no tax funding. More at StTammany.health