Publication: Illinois Business Journal, October 2017

Poettker Construction Co. is nearing completion of a new Outpatient Prep and Recovery addition to HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Ill.

Construction began in September 2016 with a dedication scheduled for November 2017.

“The new addition is attached to the north side of the existing hospital. It connects to the existing operating rooms and emergency department,” Project Manager Charles Wilson said.

The new wing includes 17 ambulatory surgery prep and recovery rooms, four private infusion rooms, a nurse’s station, and waiting room. An ambulance garage and helipad were demolished, relocated and rebuilt.

“The interior renovation consisted of spaces within the emergency department and surgery/OR department including the central sterile area, where surgical instruments are cleaned and prepped for surgeries. These spaces were completed and turned over to the hospital in multiple phases. Coordination with hospital staff was paramount to the success of the project,” he said.

The new construction and renovated areas encompass about 18,000 square feet. According to the latest project update issued by HSHS, the cost is $9.4 million.

Poettker Construction is acting as the general contractor. Berners-Schober Associates of Green Bay, Wisc., was the architect. HMG Engineers was the civil engineer, and Hanson Engineering was the structural engineer.

Working alongside any operating health-care facility can present challenges for construction teams.

“Logistical planning with the hospital was key. We had to reroute patients and staff multiple times to allow work to continue. We tried to make sure that while work was underway, the hospital felt as little impact as possible.”

“Throughout construction, the hospital’s goal of providing outstanding patient care to the community became our goal too,” said Wilson. “Making sure our construction efforts had little to no effect on their day-to-day patient care was priority number one.”

Poettker Construction and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Breese have collaborated on more than 20 health-care projects.