Early completion of UC Irvine's University Hospital paves way for occupancy
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Date: 2008-09-15
Contact: John Murray
Phone: (714) 456-7759
Email: jdmurray@uci.edu

Note to editors: Photo available at http://www.today.uci.edu/news/release_detail.asp?key=1831

ORANGE – Construction on the new University Hospital at UC Irvine Medical Center has been completed four months ahead of schedule, and state health officials have issued a certificate of occupancy that concludes the first phase of the hospital’s development. The next steps include acquiring licenses to deliver patient care, installing new equipment, and moving in patients in early 2009.

"This milestone is a significant step in our plan to enhance patient care, medical education and research in Orange County," said Maureen Zehntner, UC Irvine Medical Center CEO.

Chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D., said the effort, led by Wendell Brase, administrative & business services vice chancellor, and Rebekah Gladson, campus architect, advanced at a record pace even as other university building projects demanded their time and energy.

"Completing construction early on a complex development like an academic medical center is a remarkable achievement," Drake said. "Wendell, Rebekah and the entire project team deserve our praise for their commitment and talent."

Construction began in February 2005 on the hospital, which will house the latest medical technologies and strengthen UC Irvine Healthcare’s ability to provide patients with the highest quality therapies and treatments. The new 482,428-square-foot facility will replace the existing main hospital building, which was built in 1960. Its 19 high-tech operating rooms are 50 percent larger than those currently in use. The University Hospital is also fully compliant with California’s new seismic standards for hospitals.

Designed to create a better healing environment for patients, the new hospital features mostly private rooms that offer ample space for families to be part of the care team. Instead of transporting patients to different treatment areas, larger private patient rooms will allow multidisciplinary teams to care for patients on the spot.

About UC Irvine Medical Center: UC Irvine Medical Center is Orange County’s only university research hospital, Level I trauma center, American College of Surgeons-verified regional burn center and National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. It offers acute- and general-care service and opens its 482,000-square foot new University Hospital in early 2009.

About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and nearly 2,000 faculty members. The third-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3.6 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

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