New home for County-USC Medical Center

The facility, just down the hill from the old hospital, will bring all services together in three interconnected state-of-the-art buildings. A look at how new and old compare:

Existing hospital

Licensed beds: 824

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New hospital

Licensed beds: 600

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What becomes of the old hospital

Bottom four floors: Offices

All other floors: Closed

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Clinic Tower

Outpatient lobby and pharmacy

Radiation and oncology

Dental, pediatric, orthopedic and women’s clinics

Four surgery clinics; neurology

Clinical labs

Medical records, cashier, billing

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Diagnostic and Treatment building

Admitting, registration

Emergency department

24-hour radiology

Inpatient pharmacy

Clinical and core labs; MRI; CT scan

25 operating rooms

Surgery and special procedures

Gift and coffee shops; helipad

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Seismic safeguards

This building sits on a network of rubber base isolators that allow the building to move 24 inches in any horizontal direction.

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Inpatient tower

Acute care; obstetrics, neonatal care

Labor and delivery room

Intensive care units

Medical psych unit

Vascular lab; neurology

Burn unit; jail unit

Administration; patient lobby

Outdoor grill; cafeteria; dining for public and staff

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One bed to a room

About 90% of the patient rooms in the new hospital will have a single bed. In the old hospital most of the rooms held from two to six patients.

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Automated transport system saves time, curbs infection

The new hospital will use a fleet of 35 laser-guided carts running along a dedicated corridor to transport biohazardous waste, linens and patient meals. A computer workstation will control the carts.

Purpose: Increase efficiency, minimize cross contamination

Drive time: 10 minutes, end to end

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Less clutter in the OR

Most equipment in the operating rooms is mounted overhead on joystick-controlled movable booms.

1. Surgical light: High intensity, with mirror reflectors to filter heat away from patient.

2. Surgical LED light with camera: Consistent color, low-energy use. Camera is in the center handle.

3. Video monitor: Light/camera provides sharp images for surgeons or for classrooms nearby.

4. Control panel: Joystick controls each device and boom.

Boom system is expandable.

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A more efficient layout

Treatment at the old hospital was hampered by the location of various facilities. A look at how a visit to the old and new hospitals via a medivac helicopter varies:

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Sources: County-USC Medical Center; Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

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Recent regional explainer graphics are available at latimes.com/localgraphics

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Matt Moody Los Angeles Times