Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth New Observation Unit Project Reaches Milestone With Delivery of Modules

Plymouth, MA – The project to build a new 25-bed observation unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth achieved a milestone this week with the delivery of pre-fabricated modules that will make up the new unit. Delivered from Pennsylvania, the modules will be connected to form a 7,000 square foot, single-story, modular addition that will include 25 bays for incoming, non-acute patients who can be admitted for observation and testing before they are provided care in the emergency department. This will open up beds within the hospital for patients that require admission.

The new observation unit is part of a larger set of projects BID Plymouth plans in the coming years, including an expansion of the Emergency Department and expanding the Hematology-Oncology and Infusion Clinic.

In the Emergency Department, the hospital will increase the size of its current footprint and renovate existing space to allow for additional private rooms for medical and behavioral patients, as well as an environment more conducive to healing and the patient experience. This project will take place over the next 3-4 years.

In addition, the hospital will move the Hematology-Oncology and Infusion Clinic to a nearby, offsite location to allow for additional patient care space, program expansion and an improved patient experience. This project will occur over the next 18-24 months.

These three projects represent a large investment by Beth Israel Lahey Health in the community, delivering high quality care closer to home in Plymouth without the need to go into Boston,” said Kevin Coughlin, president, BID Plymouth. "We are grateful to our supporters in the community, and to US Rep. Bill Keating for securing much-needed federal funds, both of whom make it possible to bring world-class care right here to our town and surrounding area."

"The new observation unit will alleviate wait times in our emergency department by keeping patients out of an inpatient setting, making our patient experience more comfortable," said Tenny Thomas, MD, chief medical officer, BID Plymouth. "All of the capital projects we will undertake in the coming years will build on our commitment to deliver excellent care in the community."

The observation unit project is made possible in part by philanthropic donations and will be named after the lead donor to the capital project and long-time hospital supporters Malcolm and Luli McNaught and family. It is adjacent to the main entrance of the hospital, just 280 feet from the emergency department.

The new observation unit will be open for patient care later this year.

About Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth (BID Plymouth) is a non-profit healthcare and hospice provider, serving 250,000 residents of 12 towns in Plymouth and Barnstable Counties. BID Plymouth is a full-service, 170-bed acute care community hospital accredited by The Joint Commission, the College of American Pathologists, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and the American College of Radiology.

BID Plymouth is a part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a health care system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.