MONROE - As part of Monroe Clinic's upcoming expansion, much of the facility will be reorganized to allow for more efficient and collaborative care.
Monroe Clinic vice president Paula Elmer said the clinic expansion will be based around 10 "Integrated Care Team Units," which have a more open and adaptable floor plan than the current layout. These ICT units will be included in the new addition being built adjacent to the existing clinic building beginning this fall. Construction on the project is expected to be complete in 2019.
Elmer said the current floor plan, with large waiting areas, is "very compartmentalized," and it is difficult for care staff to collaborate with each other. While this floor plan is traditionally seen in clinic settings, Monroe Clinic staff researched other options and found a design they believe will better serve patients and staff.
The new design consists of a ring of examination rooms around a collaborative space for clinic staff. Patients will be admitted to an examination room while an integrated medical team will have access to all rooms from the rear, not unlike how veterinarians' exam rooms are often configured.
Staff will also have access to a "touchdown space" at the back of the unit for office and clerical work, Elmer said.
Patricia Lawson, director of marketing and business developmentaid the units were based on similar design concepts at medical facilities around the country and were shown to dramatically reduce the time patients spend in waiting rooms.
Elmer added that, because each unit is standardized, they can be easily adapted to address staffing changes.
Lawson said the existing clinic building will also undergo a certain amount of renovation to reflect the new units.
Elmer said the changes to the clinic layout reflects the ongoing changes to clinical care over the years.
"Care has shifted over the years," Elmer said. "Patients who would have gone to the hospital years ago are now going to the clinic" as outpatient care becomes increasingly common.
Currently, approximately 80 percent of the Clinic's revenue comes from the outpatient care of Monroe Clinic, said Monroe Clinic president and CEO Mike Sanders. Even surgeries like joint replacements can be completed in two days, and the need for hospital beds has declined as recuperation time continues to shrink for other procedures as well. Monroe Clinic's hospital currently has 58 beds.
"It'll be exciting to see how things change in 20 years," Elmer said. "Maybe we'll only need six beds in the future."
Monroe Clinic vice president Paula Elmer said the clinic expansion will be based around 10 "Integrated Care Team Units," which have a more open and adaptable floor plan than the current layout. These ICT units will be included in the new addition being built adjacent to the existing clinic building beginning this fall. Construction on the project is expected to be complete in 2019.
Elmer said the current floor plan, with large waiting areas, is "very compartmentalized," and it is difficult for care staff to collaborate with each other. While this floor plan is traditionally seen in clinic settings, Monroe Clinic staff researched other options and found a design they believe will better serve patients and staff.
The new design consists of a ring of examination rooms around a collaborative space for clinic staff. Patients will be admitted to an examination room while an integrated medical team will have access to all rooms from the rear, not unlike how veterinarians' exam rooms are often configured.
Staff will also have access to a "touchdown space" at the back of the unit for office and clerical work, Elmer said.
Patricia Lawson, director of marketing and business developmentaid the units were based on similar design concepts at medical facilities around the country and were shown to dramatically reduce the time patients spend in waiting rooms.
Elmer added that, because each unit is standardized, they can be easily adapted to address staffing changes.
Lawson said the existing clinic building will also undergo a certain amount of renovation to reflect the new units.
Elmer said the changes to the clinic layout reflects the ongoing changes to clinical care over the years.
"Care has shifted over the years," Elmer said. "Patients who would have gone to the hospital years ago are now going to the clinic" as outpatient care becomes increasingly common.
Currently, approximately 80 percent of the Clinic's revenue comes from the outpatient care of Monroe Clinic, said Monroe Clinic president and CEO Mike Sanders. Even surgeries like joint replacements can be completed in two days, and the need for hospital beds has declined as recuperation time continues to shrink for other procedures as well. Monroe Clinic's hospital currently has 58 beds.
"It'll be exciting to see how things change in 20 years," Elmer said. "Maybe we'll only need six beds in the future."