Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, has officially opened the top floor of its newly completed two-story vertical expansion. The hospital finished construction on the 76,000-square-foot addition late last year, and the top floor is now welcoming patients.
The new floor features 45 all-private patient rooms, with one half designated for orthopedic and post-surgical patients, including joint surgery patients who will have access to an on-site therapy gym. The remaining half, which will accommodate general medical-surgical patients, is set to open next week.
This is the most significant construction on the RWJUH Somerset campus since its Steeplechase Cancer Center opened in 2007. The vertical expansion project also includes a second floor, reserved for future growth.
“With this expansion, two-thirds of the hospital’s medical and surgical patient rooms are now private,” said Deirdre Blaus, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Somerset. “We understand that being in a hospital can be challenging, so we’ve designed these rooms with comfort in mind to help patients feel as at ease as possible. Each room features handicapped-accessible bathrooms and hotel-like amenities, including sleeper sofas for overnight family members. Additionally, workstations with USB ports allow patients to stay connected to work or loved ones. Our goal is to provide a healing environment that prioritizes greater privacy, healing, and recovery.”
The new floors are connected by a bridge to the third floor of the main hospital, with convenient access from the hospital’s operating facilities. Future expansions will include a relocation of the hospital’s Geriatrics Department and the establishment of a Rapid Decision Unit to alleviate Emergency Department wait times.