I want to provide a few updates regarding our progress on the Mount Sinai Downtown transformation. At the end of 2016 or the beginning of 2017, we will be relocating the MSBI cardiac surgery program to Mount Sinai St. Luke’s hospital.
This new comprehensive Center of Excellence will utilize our world-class surgical teams and increase our ability to continue delivering the high quality care that our patients have come to know and expect.
This change in no way means we will be eliminating cardiac care in our Downtown network. We will continue to treat patients at our 24-hour cardiac catheterization lab on our Petrie campus, and operate an emergency heart attack and stroke program at MSBI. These services will be transferred to our new Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital on 14th Street when we complete construction.
Also, this week we went to market on the sale of Gilman Hall and surrounding buildings, all of which are vacant. All net proceeds from the sale will be invested back into the Mount Sinai Downtown network to enhance services and further our mission of transforming and enhancing care for Lower Manhattan residents.
Lastly, as you know, water samples in some areas of the hospital recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. We have been working with the New York State Department of Health, and repeat testing of our water system has showed a marked reduction in the presence of Legionella. However, low levels still remain in some of the tested samples. As we continue to monitor our progress, filtered water restrictions will remain in place for the Dazian, Karpas, Linsky and Silver buildings to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff.
We have had one patient who has hospital acquired Legionella pneumonia. The patient is being treated with appropriate antibiotics and her condition is improving. Legionella is not contagious and cannot be transmitted person to person. The hospital remains fully open and safe for patients and visitors.
Please continue to check back for more updates.
Susan