Quincy, IL – Area health care consumers are a step closer to more choice in their options for local healthcare after Blessing Health System leaders and staff broke ground Wednesday, March 4, to relocate its ambulatory surgery center. The new center will be across the street from Blessing Hospital, at 11th and Spring. Blessing currently operates its ambulatory surgery center from leased space at 1118 Hampshire in Quincy.
The new, stand-alone 36,000 square foot center will be a two-story building, connected to the hospital by a sky bridge across 11th Street. The center will house three operating rooms, larger than those currently available, and three procedure rooms. Construction cost is approximately $21 million and completion is expected in January 2022.
“Making the ambulatory surgery center a part of our medical hub on the Blessing’s main campus has been a part of the strategic plan for many years,” said Maureen Kahn, President/Chief Executive Officer, Blessing Health System/Blessing Hospital. “This relocation offers benefits to our patients and payors in terms of types of the types of procedures available and cost for care.”
The financial benefits to the region begin with building ownership, said Julie Brink, chairman, Blessing Hospital Board of Trustees.
“Instead of paying a lease, those funds will be used to pay for a building Blessing owns,” Brink said “Relocating the surgery center to a building we own reflects Blessing’s commitment to provide quality healthcare to the community for a long time to come.”
Additionally, Blessing has asked government regulators to change the center’s designation from a department of Blessing Hospital, to a service of the health system. Through that change Blessing can lower the cost of care.
“The community has said it wants greater convenience and ease of access in healthcare services, as well as competition and choice,” said Tim Koontz, chairman, Board of Trustees, Blessing Corporate Services. “The relocation will deliver the convenience of outpatient care with the security of being in close proximity to the Hospital. Area patients will have the high level of care they need and deserve at competitive prices they can afford.”
“The state-of-the-art center will help us retain the skilled surgeons already serving the region and attract those who will offer new specialties that will allow residents to get even more of the health care they need without having to travel far from home,” Kahn concluded.
Blessing held a series of public forums during the summer of 2019 to share its vision with the public for the relocated surgery center before seeking state approval. The approval was granted in September 2019.