Scripps Health Breaks Ground on Cardiovascular Institute

Scripps Health celebrated the start of construction of its $456 million Scripps Cardiovascular Institute on Tuesday morning. The center will consolidate treatment programs at Scripps and Kaiser Permanente when it opens in 2015.

The seven-story Scripps Cardiovascular Institute is considered the cornerstone of a 25-year master plan to transform the campus. Scripps is replacing the existing hospital with three new hospital towers to meet state earthquake safety mandates. The tower will include 108 in-patient beds in private rooms, 60 intensive care beds, six operating rooms and up to six cardiac catheterization labs.

“Our vision is to build the world’s finest cardiovascular institute right here in San Diego, providing the best in heart care for our community and serving as a destination for heart patients everywhere,” said Scripps President and CEO Chris Van Gorder in a statement. “Scripps Cardiovascular Institute will be a catalyst for collaboration, drawing on the clinical expertise of some of the nation’s most brilliant physicians and scientists, the most advanced technology and ground-breaking clinical research.”

The building was developed with input from more than 200 physicians, nurses and clinical staff. Patient room amenities include wireless Internet, LCD televisions and pull out couches.

Jacobs Engineering Group is serving as the construction management firm. McCarthy Building Companies is the design-assist general contractor. HOK Architects is the project architect.

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