Emergency, Surgery, and Parking Ramp Expansion/Renovation Schematic Design Study

Trinity Health | Mercyone Siouxland Medical Center

U.S. Census data suggests that the Sioux City area is poised for a population increase not seen in decades. Preparing for the influx, Trinity Health | MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center teamed with BWBR and local firm CMBA Architects to design an expansion and renovation that would renew the campus, provide a new front door, and expand surgery/sterile processing and emergency areas.

The investigation began with three, week-long Lean/3P sessions. By the end of the sessions, the team had developed a preferred plan, with elements optimally located within key spaces. Improvements such as simplified wayfinding, increased access to natural light, and a welcoming, transparent environment would warmly include patients in the healing experience. Security would also be improved, with the creation of one prominent main entry point, as opposed to the seven different entries that exist throughout the steeply sloping site.

Departmental reorganization to resolve inefficiency issues were illustrated. The surgery department’s new location would allow for more space with a Lean floor plan, close adjacencies, and larger state-of-the-art operating rooms. The new emergency department would enhance safety and the patient experience by creating one main entrance for walk-in traffic, while improving patient treatment area visibility for nurse stations. Better patient access would be achieved by locating the ED on Level 3, making the entry accessible for emergency drop-offs.