ST MARY’S GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL GREENSBORO, GA
ENTRANCE PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
INTRODUCTION The St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, part of St.
while at the same time, allowing flexibility for future growth
Mary’s Health Care System, is a Regional Health Ministry
and expansion. The design is grounded on extensive
in Catholic Health East Trinity Health. As a not-for-profit
research establishing that elements such as natural lighting,
healthcare system, St. Mary’s Health Care System is
access to nature, and accommodations for emerging
committed not only to their patients, but also to the
technologies improve both patient and staff satisfaction.
communities they serve. HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY HEALTHCARE
WHY THE EA TEAM Following a competitive request for proposals and
St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital has a rich history
interview process, Earl Architects was selected to design
serving Greensboro, GA and the Greater Greene County
the new facility for several reasons:
areas. Originally founded in 1949 as the Minnie G. Boswell
• Our use of evidence-based design. Our Best Practice
Memorial Hospital, it was the Nation’s first Hill-Burton
Matrix focuses on many factors affecting facility
hospital. After a series of acquisitions over the past decade, performance, patient satisfaction, sustainability, safety and the facility eventually became part of St. Mary’s Health Care efficiency. System and the name was changed to St. Mary’s Good
• Our proven track record. We have a solid reputation for
Samaritan Hospital. Despite a few modifications to the
completing the planning and design process on time and
original facility, it has changed little over the course of its
within budget.
64-year existence; however, the delivery of healthcare has
• Our focus on optimization of facility performance. Our
drastically changed in that time period. In 2012, St. Mary’s
recent projects have reduced annual operating expenses,
Health Care System acquired a Certificate of Need and
helping these facilities hold down costs and expand
began the process of planning a new hospital in order to
services.
better serve the community.
• Our excellence in comparable projects. In Coffee County, for example, we were part of a design/build team that
The new hospital is intended to improve access to
delivered a new replacement hospital four months ahead of
services for the community and also improve the patient
schedule and with savings of $2 million.
experience. It is designed and structured to provide an efficient layout that is “right-sized” for the community,
DESIGN INTENT IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS The Earl Architects team began the design process by integrating concepts of the Daylight Hospital, the Planetree Hospital and the Lego Hospital into a single facility that focuses on: • Daylight and Health: to improve health outcomes, provide positive experiences for patients, staff and visitors, improve productivity and safety. • Planetree and Health: to promote dignity and choice, provide personalized care, involve the family in the healing process, focus on non-institutional design and patientcentered care, and the integration of art and meaningful activities. • Facility Growth and Health: to provide a clear plan for the future, anticipate change and accommodate growth with minor disruption, improve facility longevity, reduce lifecycle costs, and increase patient safety. THE SITE AND CONCEPTS The 24-acre site for the new replacement hospital was selected because of its strategic location near current and future development in the community, and its convenient access to State Route 44 and the Interstate. The nearby Reynolds Plantation, the presence of Lake Oconee, and the community’s desire to be an oasis of relaxation, recreation and rejuvenation have influenced the architectural concepts. Furthermore, the natural beauty of the verdant hills that surround the site provide unique views to nature and opportunities to access the outdoors. During Design Development, the EA team developed four separate concepts, each embodying a unique architectural language, inspired by these natural qualities. All of these characteristics were inspiration for the concept of a “Modern Lodge.”
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
OPTION 3
OPTION 4
THE MODERN LODGE:
The Modern Lodge concept is exemplified best in the
aids in the efficiency and deinstitutionalization of the
design of the Lobby and Main Entrance to the hospital.
facility. Patient rooms have been located to maximize their
The use of wood, stone and metal are indicative of other
views of the surrounding woodlands, and the structure
lodge facilities in the area. The decorative glass and
has been put in place to provide an additional bed
artwork are intended to evoke the Georgia pines and the
unit if future growth demands expansion of the facility.
unique natural characteristics of the surrounding area.
Additional considerations were also made for future
The large windows and facility orientation are intended
expansion capability in Radiology, Imaging, Surgery and
to maximize natural light and views to nature, for which a
the Emergency Department.
large portion of the site was left undisturbed in order to support this objective. The facility is intended to operate as a hospital and as a community center, thus supporting the healthcare needs of the sick and the well, of the individual and of the public at large. The growing importance of health maintenance and preventative medicine are supported by the inviting and non-institutional atmosphere of the facility. Greensboro is a relatively small town, therefore, various public spaces are provided to encourage use of the facility in other ways, not just by healthcare providers. The hospital is divided into zones, to support clear wayfinding and to separate the public circulation paths from staff, stretcher and service circulation. This front of house / back of house distribution of service and access further
1 Lobby 2 Outpatient Rehabilitation 3 4 5 6 7 8
Administration Emergency Department Radiology Lab Facility Support Food Service
9 Inpatient Care 10 Pharmacy
11 Surgery Department
12 Chapel
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11
LEVEL 2
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2 3
5
4 1
LEVEL 1
ABOVE/RIGHT: Groundbreaking ceremony held August 16, 2012
TOOLS WE USED BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING
EARL ARCHITECTS’ BEST PRACTICE MATRIX
Despite a tight budget, Earl Architects worked with the
For planning the programmatic needs of the new
entire project development team to create architecture that hospital, the team collaborated with the medical staff programmatically fit the needs of the facility’s users and the and hospital administration to fully understand and community, without compromising design or functionality.
encompass the needs of the patients, family, visitors and
It is always our intent to achieve great design in a cost-
staff. Earl Architects also utilized an in-house tool called
effective way.
the Healthcare Best Practice Matrix (BPM) that focuses on 241 concepts related to utilization of operational
The project development team was able to meet the
efficiencies, lean and sustainable factors that impact facility
accelerated schedule dictated by the owner through the
performance and the project’s success. The BPM has been
use of Revit and other Building-Information-Modeling
designed to simplify and prioritize many of today’s leading
software. By carefully managing the design process,
industry benchmarks of good design. By utilizing the matrix
construction documents were completed within a
throughout the programming, planning and design stages,
remarkable 4-month time period. By carefully managing
EA can easily identify and cross-reference these priorities
the construction process, the building was completed on
for a comprehensive design strategy that leads toward a
time and on budget. It is our goal to work closely and
successful outcome.
cooperatively with the entire project team, because our success is dependent on their success.
LEVEL 1 MAIN LOBBY The Lobby is intended for both hospital use and community functions. The use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, reflects the familiar characteristics of the surrounding community. Specialty slab benches made of natural walnut provide a place for pause, reflection and respite at the Main Entrance, Chapel and at the Emergency Room. The outdoor fountain at the hospital’s Main Entrance is intended to support intuitive way-finding and provide a positive distraction. A Heritage Wall has been incorporated to reflect the history and legacy of the Good Samaritan Hospital and the impact it has had on the local community. Designated areas have also been provided for religious artwork and donor recognition. Private, handicapped accessible, registration rooms are provided for discrete patient exchange. Registration stations are connected with those in the Emergency Room to streamline communications and improve patient experience, through-put and staff efficiency. Front-of-house and back-of-house circulation has been incorporated into the project. Staff, supplies and patient transport can occur out of the Public Way, and there is also a separation of the public elevators from the elevator for staff, supplies and stretcher transport.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
SERVERY AND DINING The new CafĂŠ boasts a modern-concept kitchen and a spacious dining area that encourages patients, visitors and staff to customize their dining experience. Both the dining facilities and servery are intended for hospital and community use. Banquette seating has been designed with decorative glass intended to reflect the surrounding woodlands. The dining room and outdoor terrace provide seating with natural light and views to the natural surroundings.
PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT All private treatment rooms are provided in the Emergency Department, including: two rooms for major emergencies, an Isolation Exam Room and a Secure Room for psych patients. Triage is provided for initial evaluation and throughput and a Fast-Track Area is provided for quick turn-around of minor cases, in order to reduce wait times and keep the main Emergency Department available for more complex conditions. From the treatment areas, direct access is provided to Radiology and the 64-Slice CT Scanner. The department boasts first-class patient monitoring for emergency care, contributing to a higher quality of nursing care. Separate entrances are provided for Ambulance and WalkIn patients, in order to provide optimal patient care and an ideal patient experience. Registration in the Emergency Room is connected to the Lobby Registration stations in order to streamline communications and improve patient experience, staff efficiency and through-put. An outdoor terrace is accessible from the Waiting Room to provide family and visitors with a place to decompress and find respite. The Helipad is located adjacent to the Ambulance Entrance for immediate patient transfers.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
RADIOLOGY & SUPPORT SERVICES The Diagnostic Imaging Area has state-of-the-art equipment including: a 64-slice computed tomography (CT) machine; digital radiography and fluoroscopy (R&F) machine; digital radiography machine (R/T). The facility supports outpatient cardiac diagnostics, including plans for a nuclear medicine lab, leading to an increased local cardiology presence. Adjacent access to the Emergency Department is provided to improve patient care and diagnostics. Adjacent access is also provided to an outdoor mobile imaging platform for MRIs. A separate Imaging Area has been dedicated to Women’s Health for private, discrete patient care with services including: digital mammography, diagnostic ultrasound and bone densitometry. A private Waiting Room has been designated for Women’s Imaging with views to nature, specially designed inspirational art work and decorative glass.
Expanded facilities are intended to improve patient care and staff support for comprehensive laboratory services, including: industrial drug screening, hair specimen screens, basic and complete metabolic profiles, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, blood banks, cardiac profiles, HIV testing and microbiology. Separate areas are provided for specimen collection and hospital deliveries in order to improve the patient experience and staff efficiency. A Pneumatic Tube system has been integrated for materials transport, with stations at key departments throughout the facility, in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
LEVEL 2 MEZZANINE AND LOBBY The design of the Lobby purposefully uses the region’s natural materials to reinforce the Modern Lodge Concept. The Mezzanine design supports the non-institutional character of the facility by creating areas for positive distractions, views to nature and intuitive way-finding. Access is provided from the Mezzanine to the Surgery Center, the Inpatient Bed Unit and the Chapel.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
THE CHAPEL The Chapel is located near Inpatient Care and the Surgery Center for convenient access by patients, family, caregivers and staff. The Chapel doors have been designed, fabricated and donated to the hospital by Earl Architects to reflect EA’s commitment to philanthropy in the communities and hospitals we serve. The hospital has commissioned a local monk, Father Methodius of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, to design and fabricate stained glass artwork that will become the focal point of the Chapel and include the 14 Stations of the Cross.
PHOTOGRAPHER ABOVE/RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
SURGERY CENTER The facility includes six Prep & Recovery Rooms and six PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) recovery positions, including one Isolation room. The Prep & Recovery Rooms are all private in order to reduce the risk of HAIs (hospital acquired infections), and improve patient privacy and satisfaction; furthermore, surgery prep and phase II recovery are intended to occur in the same room to optimize space efficiency and provide a consistent experience for the patients. Large windows are provided for access to natural light and views to nature in order to provide positive distractions. The Nurse Work Areas and support services are co-located for the Prep & Recovery Area and the PACU to maximize
access in minimal space, promote staff interaction to
eye surgery, podiatry, ENT, female surgical services,
reduce errors, improve staffing efficiency and optimize
urological procedures, plastic surgery, and pain blocks.
patient visibility. The Surgery Center Waiting Room overlooks the Lobby The facility includes three fully-outfitted surgical suites.
and also has large windows with views to nature, all to
Advanced modern technologies are provided to attract
provide positive distractions and natural light for family
the finest surgeons in varying specialties and provide
and visitors. Pre-Admission Testing is provided in space
optimal patient care. The facility includes a Minor
adjacent to the Waiting Room to improve the patient
Procedure Room and an Endoscopy Procedure Room
experience: all services come to the patient, rather than
with adjacent instrument processing and storage. The
forcing the patient to find the services throughout the
expanded facilities are intended to improve patient care facility. and staff support for the following services: general surgery, colonoscopy, endoscopy, orthopedic surgery,
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
INPATIENT CARE The facility has 25 all-private patient rooms, with many unique characteristics. Eight patient rooms are handicapped accessible, increasing the required capacity for ADA compliance, but also improving care for patients with limited mobility. Four patient rooms support higher-acuity patients, three of which include patient lifts; these are located directly across from the Nurse Station. Two patient rooms provide isolation to improve infection control and reduce the transmittance of airborne infections. One patient room is larger to support needs of bariatric patients and includes a patient lift for patient and staff support and safety. Within the rooms, large windows allow for access to natural light and views to nature for positive distractions and to promote healing. There are separate zones for staff, patient and family use to improve efficiency and safety. Advanced telemetric patient monitoring and enhanced IV systems contribute to a higher quality of nursing care and best-in-class beds support optimum patient care and comfort. Medical equipment items are integrated into the millwork in order to provide a functional, organized and aesthetically pleasing headwall and footwall for optimal patient care. On the Unit, a Meditation Area is provided at the end of the North Corridor to provide a place of respite, overlooking the adjacent woodlands. An Administrative Suite is provided for greater access by nursing administrative staff to their department. Furthermore, in order to support the future needs of the facility, it has been structured for future expansion of an additional 25 beds.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
OPTIMIZED PATIENT CARE A Centralized Nurse Work Area is provided on the Inpatient Bed Unit to support the needs of the patients in the facility. The character of this area is intended to carry out the Modern Lodge concept, by incorporating natural materials and artwork; however, it is also intended to provide the optimal work environment for the facility’s staff. With good observation capability to the entire unit and adjacent support services, it operates as the central point of control to monitor patients and visitors entering the Unit.
PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS Many characteristics of the Modern Lodge concept are intended to provide positive distractions and promote a non-institutional character. The use of wood and stone are intended to reflect the natural surroundings. Special Respite Areas are located throughout the facility in order to provide views to the adjacent woodlands. For example, the Meditation Area provided on the Inpatient Bed Unit is intended to provide a place of respite for patients, family and staff. The Specialty slab benches located at the Main Entrance, Chapel and at the Emergency Room, made of natural walnut, offer a place for pause, reflection and respite.
PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 25, 2013 The Grand Opening to the new St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital included a Blessing Ceremony, attended by more than 300 invited guests, where the Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of the Diocese of Atlanta blessed the new hospital and a Community Open House that welcomed over 1,000 visitors.
ENTRANCE PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.
Earl Architects 301 N Main St. 17th Floor Greenville, SC 29601 www.earlarchitects.com