Facility Research And Selection

Facility Research And Selection

The facility design and planning process involves careful consideration of community needs, including understanding the types of patients frequently brought in via ambulance, walk-ins, and drop-offs. This information is crucial for optimizing operations and productivity. Urgent care centers are often among the busiest healthcare facilities locally, requiring spacious areas equipped for emergency procedures, with accessible tools, equipment, and supplies readily available for medical staff. An effective urgent care design ensures that all necessary resources for physicians and staff are within easy reach to enhance patient care.

This paper discusses the history and need for renovation of Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan’s (DHM) urgent care department, describes the current urgent care facility, and explores other local healthcare facilities and community services. Additionally, the paper references the URL of the proposed design for renovation.

History of Doctors’ Hospital and Urgent Care

Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan (DHM) is a landmark in the Pontiac community. Originally established as Pontiac General Hospital in 1910, it was Oakland County’s first hospital. Located at 461 W. Huron Street, it was municipally owned and subsequently known as North Oakland Medical before facing bankruptcy and closing briefly in October 2008. It was purchased by physician investors and renamed Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan, making it the first physician-owned, full-service, for-profit acute care hospital in the region. Continuing the mission rooted in its founding principles, DHM focuses on delivering compassionate, high-quality healthcare to all community members (Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan, 2010).

Facilities and Services Offered

Within a three-mile radius of Pontiac, Michigan, the community hosts three hospitals, including two emergency departments and two urgent care facilities, along with numerous nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and small medical practices. This extensive healthcare network facilitates access to various levels of care, supporting the community’s health needs comprehensively.

Need for Renovation

The current urgent care unit at DHM originated as an emergency room but has become outdated. The existing facilities are characterized by dark, dreary decor in shades of gray and orange, with dull off-white walls. Privacy is compromised as conversations within treatment areas are audible due to the use of curtains instead of doors. Seating arrangements are insufficient, limiting comfort for patients and their accompanying loved ones.

Urgent care centers are vital as they provide timely, quality medical services at a lower cost than emergency rooms, which are costly for both patients and hospitals (Johnson, 2010). To meet community needs effectively, the facility’s design must facilitate efficient medical procedures, uphold patient privacy, and promote safety and sanitation.

Design Considerations for Renovation

Optimal facility design involves strategic placement of equipment, stations, and furniture to support swift patient flow and effective staff operation. A welcoming color scheme, durable flooring such as epoxy, and comfortable seating arrangements contribute significantly to patient experience and safety. Architectural planning should prioritize human health and well-being, ensuring that the space fosters healing, comfort, and efficiency (Guenther & Vittori, 2008).

Adherence to government regulations is essential to maintain compliance, particularly regarding mechanical systems' functionality and infection control measures. Additionally, separating contagious patients from immunocompromised individuals through designated zones or private rooms ensures safety and minimizes infection risks (MacStravic, 2010).

Conclusion

Effective healthcare facility planning begins with comprehensive understanding and anticipation of community and patient needs. Renovations should focus on creating a functional, organized layout that reduces stress, improves confidentiality, and enhances the overall patient experience. Carefully considering space allocation, workflow design, and safety measures ensures healthcare providers can deliver high-quality care efficiently and compassionately. Architecture and planning play integral roles in shaping environments that promote health, well-being, and patient satisfaction (Johnson, 2010; Guenther & Vittori, 2008).

References

  • Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan. (2010). Retrieved from https://www.doctorshospital.org
  • Guenther, R., & Vittori, G. (2008). Sustainable Healthcare Architecture. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
  • Johnson, T. (2010). How trends will affect health care facilities design and construction. Health Care Strategic Management, 22(1), 15-17.
  • MacStravic, S. (2010). Better facility design leads to better health care outcomes. Health Care Strategic Management, 23(2), 11-12.
  • American Hospital Association. (2018). Hospital Design and Construction Guidelines. Chicago, IL: AHA.
  • Burns, L. R., & Pauly, M. V. (2012). Patients, Markets, and the Use of Facilities: Trends in U.S. Hospital Capacity. The Milbank Quarterly, 90(2), 394–422.
  • Lawrence, R. E., & Saunders, M. (2015). Patient-Centered Design in Healthcare Facilities. Journal of Healthcare Management, 60(4), 255–264.
  • Preiser, W. F. E., & Vischer, J. C. (2014). Environmental Psychology for Design. Design and health: Toward a new understanding. MIT Press.
  • Pati, D., & Harvey, I. S. (2012). Evidence-Based Design of Hospitals. Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Van de Water, T., & De Klerk, W. (2019). The Impact of Healthcare Environment Design on Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 12(4), 346-357.

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