Healthcare Design - December 2021 - 28

In F o cus
2 /4
room. In addition, researchers from the design team spent a week on an existing
unit of the North Tower to gather baseline data through patient and
staff interviews and shadowing.
This data helped to formulate a project vision that was stated within the
framework of Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) criterion-a Lean Six Sigma concept
that identifies environmental or operational needs that are critical in
achieving a quality process or experience outcome. For this project, quality
outcome categories were tied to issues such as patient satisfaction, patient
safety, physician/staff satisfaction, efficiency, flow, and utilization of supplies.
Once CtQ metrics were established for each quality outcome, they
were communicated to the project team to aid in decision-making.
Some of the final design solutions related to the CtQ criterion included
increasing patient room size to be large enough to handle equipment for
higher-acuity patients, patient lifts in each room, accommodations for
bariatric patients, and space for caregivers to perform basic care functions.
Addressing the flow and utilization of supplies, medications, equipment,
and linens, the project team chose a decentralized approach with nurse
servers installed outside each patient room. Strategies to address physician
satisfaction included generous spaces to handle rounding teams of
15-20 people and space within the patient room for the entire team to participate
in discussion.
STRONG CASE FOR ADAPTABILITY
Since occupancy in 2013, both units have flexed in patient care type multiple
times with minimal renovation and cost. The
first transition occurred in 2019, when the original
staff and acute care surgical patient population
moved to another area of the hospital. This
resulted in both units converting to acute care
units for medical patients. The second transition
occurred as COVID-19 volumes started to
increase in spring 2020 in Southeast Wisconsin.
At that time, approximately 40 to 50 percent
of hospitalized COVID-19 patients required
ICU-level care and the other 50 to 60 percent
required acute care. In the months prior to the
pandemic, the hospital's average occupancy rate
was already 90 to 95 percent (similar to the rest
of the state), and only 17 percent of the total hospital
beds were ICU level. As a result, the decision
was made to transition the 8NT unit to treat
COVID-19-positive acute care patients and to
use the 7NT unit as a non-COVID-19 ICU unit.
Because both units were designed as highly
adaptable rooms, the healthcare system could
seamlessly adapt to these changing needs. For
example, in the patient rooms, private bathrooms
provided an infection control measure.
it and forget it.
Save the Date
Enduratex™
Durable
Coated Upholstery
Fabrics with Forbid™
SRT
Easy to clean and nonporous
to meet the
challenges of today's
safety and durability
standards.
With unique stain resistant
properties that are crosslinked
directly into the
fabric's structure, Forbid™
SRT provides a hygienic
barrier to help protect
against germs, microbes
and viruses.
HD Expo + Conference is the largest
hospitality event of its kind in the country,
showcasing the latest products, services,
and innovative developments from the
industry's leading manufacturers.
Home to next-gen innovation
+ breakthrough launches.
Scan the QR code to be inspired
or visit hdexpo.com
april 26th-28th, 2022
800.243.2472
cs@enduratex.com
enduratex.com
A Leading Supplier of Durable Coated Upholstery Fabrics.
http://www.hdexpo.com http://www.hdexpo.com http://www.enduratex.com http://www.enduratex.com
Healthcare Design - December 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Design - December 2021
