Le Bonheur adding more operating rooms

Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital is already starting a $16 million expansion and renovation despite having opened its new, $340 million hospital less than eight years ago.

The project involves a 25,000square-foot addition above the emergency department and the renovation of another 10,000 square feet.

The hospital applied for a building permit this week.

The project will give Le Bonheur “the space to bring in new and improved technology to ensure that our patients are receiving the best care available,” hospital spokesman David Henson said.

The expansion will add three more operating rooms. The multi-phase renovation will upgrade the central sterile department where supplies are cleaned and prepared for surgery, Henson said in an email response to questions.

“Le Bonheur continues to grow and we needed the space to accommodate programs like our heart transplant and brain tumor programs, in addition to more common surgeries like those for ear tubes,” he said.

“As you know, we are proud of the work we are doing here to help all kids who need us,” he said.

Turner Construction is scheduled to complete the work by early next year.

The hospital held a grand opening for the 12-story, 610,000-square-foot building in June 2010. The red-brick building at 848 Adams in the Medical Center houses 255 beds.

“This expansion is due to the growth of our existing programs which has been intentional,” Henson said.

“As we have recruited and retained some of the top talent in pediatrics, programs like our heart and neurology programs have grown.

“A great example of this growth is the heart transplant program — we performed 12 transplants last year, which exceeded our expectations,” Henson said. “The building expansion will help us better accommodate the number of surgeries we see due to this growth.”