7,000-plus view new University of Iowa Children’s Hospital

IOWA CITY — Four years have passed since the first excavator pulled up, and thousands this week are experiencing the long-awaited result: a $360 million University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

On Thursday, 7,134 people toured the 14-floor, 507,000-square-foot facility — which connects to the UI Hospitals and Clinics main campus, where another 56,250 square feet of renovated space is dedicated to the care of children.

Those first tourists were part of an internal open house, but thousands more are expected to pour through the massive glass entry this weekend — as the hospital is dedicating two full days to a community open house.

Anyone who works, learns, or volunteers with UI Health Care, along with their family members, are invited to tour the facility from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The general public is welcome to take a peak between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. both days, according to UI spokesman Tom Moore.

The hospital, which crews began constructing in 2012, is scheduled to be formally dedicated at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11. It will begin treating patients in December — after hospital crews first run drills in preparation for a massive single-day move from their old space on the main campus.

Among the many existing, new, and updated services the hospital will provide, officials say visitors can expect:

Improved convenience, including more combined prep and recovery rooms;

Streamlined check-in procedures, allowing families to check in once;

More procedure rooms, allowing more testing and procedures to occur in a single day;

A family-centered environment, including artwork and furniture chosen with patients and families in mind;

Enhanced privacy, increasing comfort;

A safer and faster CT machine, reducing sedation and using lower doses of radiation;

And plenty of kid-friendly distractions;

If You Go

What:

University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital Community Open House

When:

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where:

200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City

Hours:

People who work, learn or volunteer with UI Health Care, as well as their families, are invited to tour the hospital from 8 to 11 a.m. each day. Public tours start at 11 a.m. each day.

Activities: Visitors can go on self-guided tours of the first floor, some patient-care areas and the 12th floor. Light refreshments are to be served.

Parking:

Free parking is available in ramps 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as lots 43, 46, 75 and 49.

Info:

For more information, including driving directions, map and how to find overnight accommodations, visit hournewhospital.com/.