Open house at Blessing’s new ambulatory surgery center set for Wednesday

QUINCY — An open house for the newly built Blessing Health System Ambulatory Surgery Center on the campus of Blessing Hospital is set for 4-6 p.m. Wednesday. A ribbon cutting will be followed by tours of the facility. Parking is available in a lot in front of the building at 12^th and Spring. Those attending must wear masks.

The 36,000-square-foot center is a two-story building, connected to the hospital by a sky bridge across 11^th Street. The sky bridge provides an added level of patient safety by connecting directly to Blessing Hospital’s inpatient surgery department should additional care be required. The center will house four operating rooms and three gastrointestinal procedure rooms.

The ambulatory surgery center has been relocated from leased space at 1118 Hampshire to Blessing’s main campus.

“The relocated center offers a range of benefits for the residents of the communities Blessing serves,” said Maureen Kahn, president/chief executive officer at Blessing Health System, in a prepared statement. “The state-of-the-art facility will help retain the skilled surgeons already serving the region and attract those who will offer new specialties and procedures.  Its location delivers greater convenience and ease of access to healthcare services, and its design will enhance quality and safety of care.”

An onsite inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health must be done before Blessing can perform surgeries in the new facility. That could happen by mid-September.