By Clyde Noel

The El Camino Hospital Board of Directors Nov. 13 unanimously approved a master plan for what they’re deeming, “the hospital community of the future.”

With an estimated cost of $298 million, the new hospital will integrate technology with efficiency, directors said.

The master plan was driven by SB 1953, the California Seismic Safety Act, requiring new earthquake building standards. Hospital buildings affected must be rebuilt or replaced by 2008.

Andrew Bellfuss, project director for KMD architects said, “Orchard Pavilion and the North Addition will remain, and a new four-story construction will integrate and connect to those buildings.”

The hospital tower will be demolished and a new hospital building will be built northeast of the present facility. The design will allow for an underground mall along the north addition to connect with the Pavilion.

“Thirty years from now, should the need occur, the flexible design provides room for expansion in the park like setting,” Bellfuss said. “The new construction will add 449,500 square feet to the present hospital.”

The design for the reconfigured campus is guided by the growing use of technology in health care.

The bed capacity of the new structure will be 248 compared to the existing 426. Critical care beds will be expanded from 28 to 32, and the emergency department will be expanded and designed to reduce waiting for patients with non-urgent emergencies.

The plan also includes a new 600-stall parking structure.

Target completion date is estimated to be mid-2008 and is directly dependent on review by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development in Sacramento.