The striking new hospital buildings built by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, and Lurie Children's Hospital, in Chicago exemplify patient-centric design on a big budget. But even hospitals without deep pockets can glean inspiration from them.
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Johns Hopkins, Baltimore MD
On May 1 Johns Hopkins officially opened its new 1.6 million-square-foot, $1.1 billion hospital, which features The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center and the Sheikh Zayed Tower.
The facility boasts 560 all-private patient rooms, 33 ORs, adult and pediatric EDs, extensive soundproofing, unique artwork, and healing gardens. Oh, and did I mention the basketball court?
"Our goal with every amenity and carefully designed feature of the new building is to create a welcoming, healing environment for our patients that goes hand in hand with the superior medical care provided by our world-renowned physicians, nurses and other staff," says Ronald R. Peterson, president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System and executive vice president of Johns Hopkins Medicine.
"In addition, throughout the building are more than 500 paintings and sculptures selected specifically for the hospital from 70 artists around the world. Amenities in the public areas include a gourmet food market and gift shop, a resource library for patients and their families, an outpatient pharmacy, areas for meditation and reflection, and a two-story indoor play area for pediatric patients." View slideshow.
Each patient room comes equipped with a sleep sofa or lounge chair for family members. In the Children's Center, there is a kitchenette and laundry facilities on each floor for parents. There are even separate elevator rooms for guests and patients being transported within the hospital.
"We believe that a patient's family is a fundamental partner in that patient's care. So along with creating the safest, most compassionate environment for our patients, our new building also is designed to allow family members to comfortably stay with their loved ones 24 hours a day when appropriate," says Judy A. Reitz, Sc.D, executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Patient experience on a budget: Not all health systems have a billion-dollar budget, or even a budget large enough to create exclusively private rooms. But there are other ways to make rooms feel private, by using sound-absorbing tiles and well-placed white noise. And a modest investment in art and greenery can make any facility seem infinitely more cheerful.
Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago IL
On June 9, Children's Memorial Hospital will move and change its name to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. In addition to these changes, the hospital will experience a major facility update when it moves into its new $855 million home.
The building, which is LEED-certified, consists of 23 stories, 1.25 million square feet, and 288 beds in all-private rooms. The facility contains decentralized nursing stations so care givers are closer to patients as part of a "creative, unique, healing interior design."
The design was greatly influenced by former patients who are on the hospital's Kid's Advisory Board. They were influential in the addition of The Crown Sky Garden, a 5,000 square-foot rooftop garden built so hospital-bound patients can breathe some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors without leaving the building. View slideshow.
"It is designed with kids in mind," says Julie Pesch, director of public affairs and communications. "[Kid's Advisory Board members] influenced many of the designs on the wall and were instrumental in working with GE to create a yellow submarine-like CT scanner. A salon where the kids can wash their hair was also built at their strong suggestion."
But of course it's not all about the upscale amenities.
"Many of the key designs of the facility are intended to improve care and outcomes for children," says Bruce Komiske, chief of new hospital design and construction. "Lurie Children's has all-private rooms to reduce infection, expanded trauma care capabilities, amenities for families, and creative interiors that provide unique healing environments."
Patient experience on a budget: No room for a patient salon? Partner with a local hair studio to have hair stylists visit patients once a month. It will bring a sense of normalcy to those in for a longer hospitalization—and everyone loves a little pampering. View slideshow.
Sanford Health, Sioux Falls SD
Sanford Health recently broke ground on a new multi-use sports facility called simply "The Pentagon." The 160,000 square-foot building will be the epicenter of the health system's new sports complex.
The facility includes nine basketball courts; six high-school regulation, two professional/college practice court, and a 1950s/1960s-inspired "heritage" court.
"Some may wonder why would a health system invest in this type of project. But this is what we do as an organization. We invest in our community, and we whole-heartedly believe in investing in the health of our young people," Nate White, Sanford Health's chief operating officer for the Sioux Falls division, said in a release. "Sanford Health's mission is dedicated to the work of health and healing. While it is always our goal to heal those who need our care when they are ill, it is also our mission to keep people healthy. That includes giving them opportunities and resources to stay healthy."
The building is, in fact, shaped like a pentagon. Floor space can be transitioned from basketball to accommodate up to 11 volleyball courts as well as wrestling or dancing events. And while the facility is focused on athletics, it will also serve other community needs. View slideshow.
"Sanford Health is dedicated to the work of heath and healing through providing exceptional care, innovation, and discovery," says Nate White, Chief Operating Officer for the Sioux Falls Division. "This new sports complex, along with The Pentagon by Sanford Health, will help us create a Sports Center of Excellence at Sanford. The center will focus on sports medicine, sports science and athletic performance. It's also a venue that will help us host events. This sports complex will become one of the nation's finest laboratories for athletes of all ages."
The Pentagon will serve as the epicenter of the Sanford Sports Complex, a 162 acre complex housing Sioux Falls Junior Football league, Sioux Falls Tennis, Sioux Falls ICE as well as Dakota Alliance Soccer Club.
Patient experience on a budget: Even if you don't have the space or means for an dedicated athletic center, you can still bring the energy of sports into your building. Take every opportunity to support local teams, from the pros down to Little League, and recognize patients and staff who participate in sports. View slideshow.
Marianne Aiello is a contributing writer at HealthLeaders Media.