ESA
EBD Goals
Located within a large senior living community, the following goals of the outpatient facility were tantamount:
- Reduce patient falls
- Reduce patient stress
- Increase patient satisfaction
- Increase staff satisfaction
Overview
The Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood is a connected leading-edge, bedless hospital and 150-room hotel and spa developed to meet the needs of a large continuing care retirement community and the surrounding area. The four-story facility is the first phase of a long-term ambulatory care program. Influenced by hospitality elements, the lobby and patient waiting areas are filled with natural light to provide a "living room" feel. In addition to diagnostic imaging, a testing center, and 13 different specialty tenants, the center also houses Aviv Clinics, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy provider that aims to improve physical and cognitive performance.
Challenge
During the initial site planning, the CAHB’s program massing and stacking and evidence-based design (EBD) goals and benefits were established early with the owner and program stakeholders. ESa has a basis for successful design interventions with this market based upon a long-standing design history with two primary hospitals that support The Villages’ inpatient needs. Challenges to address in this outpatient facility included minimizing falls, supporting impaired hearing and vision, and creating strong wayfinding for orientation challenges – all within a discerning consumer population. The CAHB is the largest and tallest ambulatory services structure in this tri-county market of 130,000 senior residents. Essential to this facility's success are easy access to surface parking, efficient reception, and consult and treatment services. First, EBD goals and objectives were defined; second, EBD concepts were innovatively created to satisfy the initial goals; and third, design and construction were monitored throughout the project to make sure the solutions aptly resolved the needs at hand.
Solution
CAHB's design goals were integrated within the building and campus layout as well as in the interior finish detailing.
- Multiple site design options were vetted to maximize convenient parking access to two main entrances connecting to the lobby from north or south parts of the site.
- Every outpatient program has direct access to the main elevator lobby and entry door, and the lobby serves as the wayfinding hub.
- Multi-specialty physician practices are on the third and fourth floors and accessible from sub-waiting spaces referred to as “living rooms.”
- Designated staff parking is proximate to the west entrance. Staff lounges have exterior walls with daylighting, views, and room for socialization or private break time.
- Fall reduction was given special attention with smooth flooring transitions. Seating options have sturdy support with a higher seating base and arms.
- Color selections, artwork, and furnishings were chosen to put patients at ease and reduce stress.
Results
Feedback has been notably positive from the owner, The Villages Health leadership, Aviv owners, and the facility's other tenants. A formal post-occupancy survey, fall reduction measurements, and patient satisfaction scores have yet to be conducted, gathered and evaluated.
Additional Info
The outpatient center is connected to a 150-room hotel on the second floor to benefit patients traveling to the site for procedures. The hotel provides 30 dedicated overnight rooms for surgery and elective procedure patients. An activated courtyard located between the outpatient center and hotel provides outdoor respite for patients, families and guests, and offers availability for outdoor event space.