St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is currently undergoing major construction on the east side of its main building. Officials are adding a 100,000 square foot emergency center and patient care tower that is expected to house 32 private patient exam rooms, two critical cardiac care exam rooms, meditation room for solace and provide advanced imaging and lab facilities to expedite patient diagnosis.
CCO Joel Rentas and Oiler Raymond Pierce were on hand to help raise ten prefabricated walls. Tampa based Pre-con Construction hired Sims Crane to help with the lift. The company employs experts in the specialty construction field of precast concrete erection.
Overcast skies did not cloud Renta’s judgment as he lifted the largest slab of the day which weighed in at approximately 39,000 lbs. The 175-ton Krupp mobile crane held steady as he swung the 50 foot boom in a semi-circle to deposit the slab at the hands of workers waiting to fit it into the empty spot. After several attempts, the large wall was fit into place.
The one thing that sets this facility apart is the emphasis on patient privacy. According to Patricia Sizemore, vice president of patient services for St. Anthony’s hospital, it’s a priority. “One of the most advanced changes offered by the design of the new emergency center is that we are emphasizing patient privacy. We are creating our new facility with patient needs and family comfort in mind.” The emergency center is expected to open in early 2012.
