Conference Recaps: Insights, Trends, and Key Takeaways

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October 22, 2024

Knowledge

Healing

The Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo and Healthcare Design Conference were dynamic blends of insightful keynotes, engaging panel discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. Attendees explored cutting-edge innovations, industry trends, and best practices from experts across various fields. Overall, the events provided inspiring platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing, leaving participants energized and eager to implement new strategies. Breakout sessions allowed deeper dives into specialized topics while exhibitors showcased the latest products and solutions. Click on the titles to learn more about each BSA presentation.

Design Solutions Theater: Overflowing Shopping Cart: Maximizing Space Efficiency in Repurposed Buildings

The post-pandemic influx of vacant retail and commercial space is providing a generational opportunity for communities and care providers to acquire and re-purpose large, well-located, existing structures to serve the healthcare needs of surrounding communities. It’s also an opportunity for well-prepared healthcare designers to flex their creative muscles in new, exciting, and profitable ways. This story, presented by Sarah Luna, of the adaptive reuse of a beloved Sears store in Austin, Texas, to meet the public health needs of a growing and underserved community, provides insights and lessons learned to help design, construct, and provide organizations considering or planning similar conversions.

Conference Session: Community Wellness – Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near You.

This presentation explores the impact of design on public health, drawing on projects with the University Hospital and the Design Team. Craig Puccetti, Wendy St. John, Carol Huber (University Health), and Geof Edwards (Alta Architects) highlight design’s role in addressing challenges by examining social determinants and healthcare access. Design strategies, from inclusive spaces to mental well-being promotion, demonstrate the potential for healthier communities. Emphasizing stakeholder engagement, we share how our collaborative design process serves as a tool for promoting health equity and addressing healthcare access disparities.

Conference Session: Standalone Statements: Designing the Next Generation of Freestanding Emergency Departments

This session explores the rise of freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs), focusing on design, planning, operations, human experience, and their role in ambulatory real estate strategy. Tim Spence, Carolyn Knaup, and Maureen Leckie highlight WakeMed and Lakeland Regional Health’s prototyping and research for FSEDs. The panel discusses the need for FSEDs, their design and operational aspects, patient-centric care, and their strategic impact on community health and healthcare efficiency.

Conference Session: Conquering Cancer Care: Optimizing Efficiency and Experience

This presentation covers the design of a new oncology building using healing principles to streamline workflows and improve patient experiences. Kenyon Worrell, Wendy St. John, Zahra Zamani, and Emmeline Madsen (UNC Health Rex Healthcare) discuss using simulation modeling for spatial planning and a post-occupancy assessment to evaluate operations. The focus is on enhancing patient journeys, integrating services, and improving staff efficiency for better patient-centered care.

Conference Session: A Collaborative Approach to Learning: The Community Healthcare Design Studio

Healthcare design now addresses broader social, technological, and environmental concerns, increasing demand for collaboration with impacted communities. Ball State University’s model includes professionals and students working on real projects, providing unique learning experiences. Carl Johnson, Shireen Kanakri (Ball State University), Annette Majors (Franciscan Health), and Scott Hesler (Tonn & Blank) discuss how this partnership strengthens academic and professional healthcare design community ties.

Conference Session: Emergency Department Design in 2024: The Influence of Community Events on Design Priorities

Designing an emergency department (ED) to handle active shooter situations, drug overdoses, homelessness, mental health emergencies, and community violence requires balancing community needs and patient satisfaction while ensuring safety for healthcare providers. High rates of assaults on ED staff contribute to turnover, shortages, and burnout. By collaborating with various stakeholders, Tim Spence, Teri Joy, and Tabitha Vaughn (Eskenazi Health) aim to gather insights and suggestions to improve ED design.