MONROE - It's a complicated balancing act creating a supportive space for healing while controlling costs for patients and improving care. These objectives may seem at odds, but Monroe Clinic has found that thoughtful design provides a platform for care that's both patient-focused and resource-efficient.
Reducing the number of steps is an important goal, both physical and in process.
"Our patients come here because they want personalized medicine," said Dr. Mark Thompson, chief medical officer. "They want warmth, friendliness and individual care. We want to keep that feeling as we grow. Eliminating unnecessary steps allows our staff to spend more time with patients. That's the ultimate goal."
For example, most surgery is performed on an outpatient/day surgery basis, but Monroe Clinic's current facility was designed when surgeries required hospitalization.
Today, the typical day surgery patient takes four elevator rides and goes through 16 stops on four floors. Nurses walk approximately 1.5 to 3 miles a day transporting patients. In the Northwest Addition, the same patient will be cared for in six stops that are all on one level.
For added convenience and privacy, day surgery patients will have their own exit so they don't have to go through the main lobby after a procedure. This separate entrance is just one example of the attention being paid to function and "way finding" for patients and families.
"It will be much easier for patients to find their way around," Thompson said.
"We will have personal escorts and extra signage. We paid close attention to where the elevators were placed and how the rooms are configured, including color cues and the look of signs. It's more functional, and creates a more calming and patient-friendly environment."
The new inpatient rooms reflect the latest approaches and technologies that bring nurses closer to patients. Visitors may notice the absence of an old standby, the large nurse's station. Nurses will maintain electronic medical records on computers both inside the room and in an adjacent alcove.
There will be small spaces just outside patient rooms for meetings with providers and family. In addition to improving accuracy and bedside care, this approach also keeps noise levels down so patients can rest peacefully.
To increase both efficiency and safety, inpatient rooms will be identical. The bed, bathroom, plumbing, lighting, equipment, supplies and electrical outlets are all in the same place.
Each inpatient room will also have a cabinet called a "nurse server," which will keep supplies close at hand. The cabinets open up into the corridors, so fewer staff members enter rooms to dispense medications and re-stock supplies.
Employees have been experimenting with a mock-up of an inpatient room, trying equipment, furniture, fixtures and different layouts to determine the best room configuration.
"All the mock trials have really helped," said Sue Fox, RN, medical/surgical supervisor. "It's all about providing the best patient care possible."
The Northwest Addition will be wired to support EPIC Systems electronic medical records. Nurses will carry wireless devices that will alert them when their patients press the call button, dramatically improving response time.
The devices will also include GPS tracking, so nurse supervisors can locate staff easily.
"There are a lot of bells and whistles attached to the nurse call system," project manager Chuck Bernhagen said. "There will be direct, immediate contact with nurses that will save a lot of time and wasted steps."
According to unit configuration team member Joyce Kubly, RN, all those saved steps will keep nurses closer to patients.
"As they fill out charts, nurses will be able to observe the patient in bed versus walking by and peeking in. The goal is to spend more time communicating with patients than with colleagues."
Reducing the number of steps is an important goal, both physical and in process.
"Our patients come here because they want personalized medicine," said Dr. Mark Thompson, chief medical officer. "They want warmth, friendliness and individual care. We want to keep that feeling as we grow. Eliminating unnecessary steps allows our staff to spend more time with patients. That's the ultimate goal."
For example, most surgery is performed on an outpatient/day surgery basis, but Monroe Clinic's current facility was designed when surgeries required hospitalization.
Today, the typical day surgery patient takes four elevator rides and goes through 16 stops on four floors. Nurses walk approximately 1.5 to 3 miles a day transporting patients. In the Northwest Addition, the same patient will be cared for in six stops that are all on one level.
For added convenience and privacy, day surgery patients will have their own exit so they don't have to go through the main lobby after a procedure. This separate entrance is just one example of the attention being paid to function and "way finding" for patients and families.
"It will be much easier for patients to find their way around," Thompson said.
"We will have personal escorts and extra signage. We paid close attention to where the elevators were placed and how the rooms are configured, including color cues and the look of signs. It's more functional, and creates a more calming and patient-friendly environment."
The new inpatient rooms reflect the latest approaches and technologies that bring nurses closer to patients. Visitors may notice the absence of an old standby, the large nurse's station. Nurses will maintain electronic medical records on computers both inside the room and in an adjacent alcove.
There will be small spaces just outside patient rooms for meetings with providers and family. In addition to improving accuracy and bedside care, this approach also keeps noise levels down so patients can rest peacefully.
To increase both efficiency and safety, inpatient rooms will be identical. The bed, bathroom, plumbing, lighting, equipment, supplies and electrical outlets are all in the same place.
Each inpatient room will also have a cabinet called a "nurse server," which will keep supplies close at hand. The cabinets open up into the corridors, so fewer staff members enter rooms to dispense medications and re-stock supplies.
Employees have been experimenting with a mock-up of an inpatient room, trying equipment, furniture, fixtures and different layouts to determine the best room configuration.
"All the mock trials have really helped," said Sue Fox, RN, medical/surgical supervisor. "It's all about providing the best patient care possible."
The Northwest Addition will be wired to support EPIC Systems electronic medical records. Nurses will carry wireless devices that will alert them when their patients press the call button, dramatically improving response time.
The devices will also include GPS tracking, so nurse supervisors can locate staff easily.
"There are a lot of bells and whistles attached to the nurse call system," project manager Chuck Bernhagen said. "There will be direct, immediate contact with nurses that will save a lot of time and wasted steps."
According to unit configuration team member Joyce Kubly, RN, all those saved steps will keep nurses closer to patients.
"As they fill out charts, nurses will be able to observe the patient in bed versus walking by and peeking in. The goal is to spend more time communicating with patients than with colleagues."
