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Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center PACU Expansion

This multiphase, PACU renovation delivered expanded patient capacity, enhanced support spaces, and a new, cantilevered walkway to speed travel to the unit.
Hershey, PA

Project Details.

This multi-phased renovation in the heart of the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (PSHMC) South Addition required significant coordination, teamwork, and a deep understanding of how the hospital’s vital systems interact to successfully deliver an expansion of PACU services supported by 22 Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) beds, a new employee locker room, lounge, support spaces and a cantilevered, 2nd story bridge, connecting the OR corridor to the new unit.

Pyramid’s considerable previous experience and gained knowledge of PSHMC’s space and working environments were utilized early in the planning process to mitigate the possible issues that could arise during the demolition and utility relocations in an area that had not been renovated for 30 years and housed several OR’s and support spaces. Working together with the client, the team evaluated phasing, finishes, and product selection to make sure the best value was provided.

A connection point between the new space and the OR suite corridor was necessary. To accomplish this, a cantilevered bridge was constructed, hanging from the existing structure. The location of this bridge, within an interior courtyard, was the greatest challenge. A crane was employed to lower the 25-foot cantilever beams into the glass façade courtyard, and then swing them 15 feet into the hospital to attach them to the building steel. Due to the location of the crane, this was considered a “blind” lift. The rest of the work in this logistically challenging space was done by hand and with smaller lifts. The result is a clear point of connection to the OR suite that has greatly improved operational workflow.

Coordinated phased construction allowed PSHMC to utilize new beds as soon as they were completed. This limited the number of beds being taken offline during the pandemic. Multiple temporary MEP connections were used during phasing to keep adjacent occupied areas in service during construction. Insulated ICRA panels were customized to minimize impact and allow for easy transition of finishes from phase to phase and scaffolding constructed outside allowed access for man and materials through an existing window to the job site.

The PACU is now a prototype for the rest of the renovation work throughout the South Addition. This project has provided additional capacity, allowing PSHMC to expand services for those who need their care. The Pyramid team is grateful to be a part of this significant upgrade that represents Milton S. Hershey Medical Center’s commitment to providing first class facilities for their patients to heal.

This project earned the Pyramid an Associated Builders and Contractors national Excellence in Construction® Eagle Award in 2023. The EIC awards, presented to 82 of the nation’s top construction projects in 2022, are the construction industry’s leading national competition that honors general and specialty contractors for world-class, safe and innovative construction projects from across the country. Read more about this honor here.

 

Project Specifications

Project Size
12,800

Owner’s Name
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Completed By
Work with Quandel

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