HCA Florida Palms West Hospital does more than 1,200 robotic surgeries each year. The expansion will help it become a national leader in the field.
Robotic-assisted surgery at HCA Palms West
HCA Palms West held a public demonstration of the DaVinci machines used in robotics surgery.
- Palms West Hospital, owned by HCA Healthcare, received approval for a $90 million expansion.
- The expansion will include a 42-bed post-surgical unit specializing in robotic surgery.
- HCA Healthcare plans to invest an additional $90 million in other projects at Palms West, including an expanded emergency department.
- The expansion is driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services in the region due to population growth and new residential developments.
ROYAL PALM BEACH — Plans for an $90 million expansion at HCA Florida Palms West Hospital are moving forward.
Palm Beach County commissioners on Feb. 27 approved a needed zoning change for Nashville-based HCA Health Care, the company that owns Palms West at Southern and Crestwood boulevards near Royal Palm Beach. Plans call for a 56,000-square foot, 42-bed post-surgical unit to provide customized care for patients who undergo robotic surgery.
There will also be a new grand entrance, registration and admitting area, gift and coffee shop, a community education space, classrooms and cafeteria. Parking is expected to be reconfigured.
Initially, the new part of the the hospital will be a one-story addition but Palms West is expected eventually to have a tower of up to five stories. The one-story building is being built to accommodate future growth.
The investment will allow the hospital to specialize even further in the emerging technology of robotics surgery, which allows for smaller incisions and faster recoveries, said Jason Kimbrell, the CEO of Palms West.
“We are pleased to obtain the county approval. It is now full speed ahead,” Kimbrell said. “This is our next chapter. In the long term, we want patients to come from around the country and the world to undergo robotic-assisted surgery here.”
Palms West already is a leader in robotics surgery in South Florida. More than 1,200 of robotic-type procedures are performed every year.
The hospital employs 22 robotics-assisted surgeons who operate Da Vinci machines, a robotics system with four interactive arms and a high-resolution 3D camera. The surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures involving less blood, less scaring and a reduced risk of infection.
In calling for the zoning change, HCA said the expansion is needed to meet “an increasing need for hospital facilities and beds in the region due to new residential development,” according to documents submitted to the county. More than 2,000 homes, HCA noted, have been built as part of the nearby Arden development and more residential projects are planned for the county’s western suburbs/
Palms West has already experienced a significant increase in patient volume, according to the hospital.
“Given these factors, expanding Palms West Hospital is not only justified but essential for maintaining a high standard of health care for the community,” the hospital said. “The demand for health care services has significantly increased, driven by population growth and the aging demographic.”
How long will it take to complete Palms West Hospital expansion?
Palms West currently has has 206 beds. The expansion will be constructed on 19 acres to the west of the existing main hospital building.
HCA also says it expects spend an additional $90 million on other projects to improve and expand services offered at Palms West. They include:
- $10 million for a second cardiac catheterization lab to offer additional interventional cardiology capabilities and electrophysiology services.
- $10 million to expand the emergency department by 10 beds to help handle the 65,000 patients Palms West serves annually.
- $10 million to complete a new operating room to support minimally invasive interventions.
- $30 million to expand and improve a robotic surgical room.
- $30 million for a freestanding emergency room in West Palm Beach.
- $500,000 to build a medical office building dedicated to women’s health on Vista Parkway in West Palm Beach.
Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
In addition to the bed tower, HCA Healthcare will invest in several other projects at the hospital, including:
- $30 million for expanding operating rooms and adding more advanced robotic surgery capabilities.
- $10 million for a comprehensive stroke center.
- Expanding the emergency room to handle the 65,000 patients it serves annually, along with plans for two off-site free-standing emergency departments.
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