Methodist South in Memphis, Tenn., will begin renovating its 16-bed intensive care unit this summer, according to the Memphis Daily News.
Methodist recently filed a $2.9 million building permit for the construction, which is expected to take 12 months. Mansoor Shahid, vice president of support and professional services at the hospital, said the project's final price tag is expected to be around $4.6 million.
Methodist South's plans for the ICU, which hasn't been upgraded since it was built in 1982, include changing the room configurations and the overall ICU layout with the goal of improving the patient experience.
"We're going to be doing a complete renovation, which will include the finishes, the layout," Mr. Shahid said, according to the report. "We're going to be building eight new nursing stations, which is going to be a departure from the central nursing station concept that has been prevalent in yesteryears.
"This eight-station concept will have one nurse monitoring two rooms. So, more direct eyes on the patient. Natural lighting will be included in the ICU, and we're also going to be adding 40 square feet per room to the layout."
Mr. Shahid said the hospital will complete the ICU renovation in phases.