Flowers Hospital Adds Four New Operating Suites

235-bed hospital anticipates increased physician and patient demand for surgical services

DOTHAN, AL (February 18, 2010) - Flowers Hospital has completed work on a $3 million operating room (O.R.) expansion project, increasing the total number of surgical suites to 25. The expansion includes 3,641 square feet of new construction and 4,906 square feet of renovated space.

The project began in 2008, when administration at Flowers Hospital recognized the need for additional O.R. suites to better serve their Medical Staff and the Wiregrass community.  The extra rooms make it possible for a surgeon to complete a case and directly proceed to the next, thereby improving the surgeon’s efficiency and reducing patient wait times. By expanding O.R. capacity and improving patient flow, Flowers Hospital is able to manage increased surgical volume, while continuing to provide top-quality care to their patients.

“The additional rooms will help surgeons accommodate their patients, without hindering their private practice schedule.” says Scott Robbins, MD, Chief of Surgery at Flowers Hospital. “The quality of care provided at Flowers Hospital and additional operating suites are a true benefit to the Medical Staff and the patients we serve.”

“The demand for additional operating rooms came from our patient volumes and our surgeons,” said Suzanne Woods, Interim CEO of Flowers Hospital. “The four new rooms will help our physicians meet the needs of their patients, while helping Flowers Hospital continue to provide top-quality care. We appreciate the loyalty of our patients and physicians and will continue to identify opportunities to improve their experience while at Flowers Hospital.”

Last year, Flowers Hospital scored the highest on process-of-care, or “core” measures, in the United States, as developed and rated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  The hospital achieved top status across four clinical areas: heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical infection prevention. 

About Flowers Hospital

Flowers Hospital has served the healthcare needs of the Wiregrass for over 50 years.  The facility is not only an important resource for the Dothan community, it also serves as a major tertiary referral center for the Tri-State area of south Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida.

By combining responsible personnel of approximately 1,300 employees, modern equipment and supplies, effective management, sophisticated support services, up-to-date professional education programs, and a staff of over 250 exceptional physicians, Flowers Hospital is able to assure its patients of quality healthcare.