Flexibility

In this plan for an emergency focused hospital we applied modular planning techniques.  The initial program assumed patient volumes at the start of operations and a growth factor year over year. There was also a clinic component to be provided.  

Our strategy was straightforward. We planned an emergency department (ED) with separate tracks for trauma, less acute and pediatrics. The plan utilized a "pod"concept with 20 treatment rooms arranged around central support area.  We backed the clinic to the ED and planned the clinic modules in a similar fashion the ED.  The exam rooms were arranged in a similar fashion to the ED treatment rooms allowing for easy of repurposing. The central core of the clinic has the same area as that of the ED allowing for quick conversion.

Our approach also allowed for periodic reassignment of clinic exam rooms into ED treatment or holding bays for less acute patients.  This helped alleviate short term volume issues. 

This approach provides an incremental way to accommodate increased patient demand, first through temporary reassignment of exam rooms to the final solution of moving the clinic to a pre-planned site and renovating it into additional ED treatment space.  It allows for logical growth based on demand and provides clear surge strategies.

Additionally, we identified clear patterns of growth on the campus so that expansion was logical and easily accommodated.