The project represents the largest expansion in Moses Cone Health System history. The six-storey North Tower will add more than 260,000 square feet. It will feature 16 modern operating rooms arranged according to surgical specialty around sterile cores to provide easy access to supplies and equipment; a new main entrance to Moses Cone Hospital off of Church Street; a high-efficiency emergency department; and two nursing stations on each of the three patient floors with conferencing areas for patients and families.

Computer charting stations will be built between patient rooms to allow doctors and nurses to spend more time with patients. These stations will also make it easier to see and monitor patients. The project will increase the number of treatment rooms and add a dedicated pharmacy and expanded laboratory to the emergency department.

The existing semi-private rooms in the space will be replaced with 96 large, private patient rooms designed to enhance patient recovery and safety. North Tower patient rooms and family/visitor areas will feature more natural light and views, temperature and lighting controls, noise-reducing design and family zones with daybeds and separate lighting.

Post completion of the North Tower, about 83,000 square feet of existing space will be renovated that will be completed in early 2015. It will add new pre-surgical preparation and post surgery recovery areas to support the 16 operating rooms in the North Tower.

North Tower is also designed to be a Silver Level LEED-certified building under the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) regulations. In addition, North Tower will be the first healthcare facility in the state, and one of only three hospitals in the US to heat and cool patient rooms with ‘chilled beams’. A new energy plant is also being built as part of the project, allowing Moses Cone Health System to retire older, less efficient boilers and generators. A solar hot water system will heat water for patient rooms and showers as well as other functions throughout the new building.

Raleigh-based Brasfield & Gorrie will serve as the general contractor. North Tower is expected to be completed in June 2013.