St. John's Expansion Project Home

Expansion update:

We remain confident that the St. John's Expansion and Renovation project will deliver necessary Oncology, Obstetrics and Surgery improvements within the proposed budget. The current focus is on: determining and monitoring projected project costs; completing overall design and construction plans; developing final plans for the internal layout; and completing infection control and interim life safety plans for the project.

In November, cost estimates for certain components of the expansion project came in higher than originally expected. This variability is not uncommon for a project of this size, scope and complexity. Nonetheless, as a result of these preliminary cost estimates, the hospital administration in December initiated a review with the architects, engineers and construction manager to help ensure that the project will come in on budget. In January, the architects held additional meetings with our user groups from various hospital departments. Based upon this information, the architects are now finalizing project drawings. Once the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is prepared by the construction manager, the revised drawings will be submitted for final approvals from the state. It is expected that construction on the exterior will resume by early June.

Parking: Parking and access to the northeast corner of the St. John's campus (east of the Emergency Department entrance) is closed. All other areas remain open.

Why is the St. John's Cancer/Surgery/Obstetrics Expansion Project necessary?

The project provides new and renovated space to meet increased patient demand for Cancer/Surgery/Obstetrics services. The project is critical so that patients can continue to receive medical care close to home -- whether they are confronting an illness or accident, or growing their families with the addition of a new son or daughter.

Cancer:

Patient demand for Cancer/Oncology services has increased 43% since 2003. A primary reason St. John's is providing more cancer services than ever before is the important affiliation with the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.

Surgery:

Patient demand for Surgery has increased 22% since 2000. More patients are now able to receive the care they need at St. John's because new surgeon specialists in the community have reduced the need for patients to leave Jackson Hole for Orthopedic, Urology, Ear/Nose/Throat and other common surgeries.

Obstetrics:

St. John's is the only hospital delivering babies within nearly two hours distance by car, sometimes much longer on treacherous roads. The availability of Obstetrics services close to home is essential and vital to deliver newborns safely and protect the lives of mothers.

Enhanced Care for Patients

Patients and their families will directly benefit from the hospital expansion. Receiving care close to home with family and friends improves healing. In addition, it eliminates travel costs and reduces time away from work. Additionally, the hospital stays financially viable and maintains competitive pricing.

Financing and Hospital Prices

The revenues from the Cancer/Surgery/Obstetrics Project will cover the costs associated with the new and renovated space.

Providing care to more patients makes it more feasible for the hospital to maintain competitive pricing with other hospitals because fixed costs are spread over a larger patient base.

Total Project Cost

The total projected cost is $26 million. The Hospital will use $3 million in cash reserves, $11.25 million through a tax-exempt bond issue and $11.75 million from SPET.

Project Funding

The hospital plans to fund 55 percent of the $25.9 million cost by borrowing through a tax-exempt bond issue and by trimming the level of cash reserves. SPET funds will pay for the remaining 45 percent of the project.

Demand for the Project

Several years ago, doctors and patients began pressing for more services. Patient visit statistics and patient surveys identified compelling reasons to move ahead. Working with architects specializing in hospital design, physicians, nurses and other professionals working in Cancer/Surgery/Obstetrics patient areas helped determine how new and renovated space could be configured for workflow and patient needs.

Project Commencement

Final architectural planning began in 2010 and St. John’s officially broke ground on the project in August 2011.