As health systems zero in on outpatient strategies, many communities are seeing a rise in freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) and outpatient clinics like urgent care centers. Thoughtful design of these facilities can improve both the patient experience and the efficiency of clinical operations.
To learn more, Becker’s Hospital Review spoke with Luis Cano, senior vice president and principal at Gresham Smith. He discussed the design elements and other key considerations that are critically important for FSEDs and urgent care centers.
Thoughtful design can improve the patient experience and operations
FSEDs handle higher levels of patient acuity than urgent care centers, but for both flexible and open layouts are essential.
“The interior designs are typically simple, with spacious waiting rooms that are easily adaptable to varying patient volumes,” Mr. Cano said. “This design approach promotes efficient patient flow, minimizing wait times and optimizing the space for quick turnover.”
To reduce patient stress, a calm, inviting atmosphere combined with neutral colors, comfortable seating, abundant natural light and thoughtful acoustics can help create an environment conducive to healing and relaxation.
Given the fast-paced nature of these centers, signage and wayfinding are also critical. Clear, intuitive signage ensures patients and visitors can navigate the space efficiently, especially in high-traffic areas.
Mr. Cano stressed the importance of treatment rooms being designed for efficiency. Ideally, they will be compact and highly functional. In an urgent care setting, the facilities are often equipped with basic diagnostic tools, such as X-ray machines and lab equipment. This supports streamlined and efficient processes for a wide range of minor injuries and illnesses.
“In contrast, FSEDs are high-functioning emergency spaces that are intended to handle a variety of critical conditions,” Mr. Cano said. “These spaces often feature modular designs, allowing for flexible reconfiguration based on patient needs.”
Front-line feedback is crucial in the design process
When Gresham Smith designs FSEDs and urgent care clinics, the work isn’t done in a vacuum.
“We sit down with all of the caregivers — nurses, nurse managers, patient registration staff and other key stakeholders,” Mr. Cano explained. “We make sure that everybody has a seat at the table. When we discuss patient flow and optimize the design for that, we have buy-in from everyone.”
Gresham Smith designed UHealth Jackson Urgent Care in Coral Gables, Fla., as part of a network of locations that prioritize ease of access and patient flow while maintaining the practical and functional nature of urgent care. At other UHealth Jackson locations, technology such as online check-ins and telemedicine options are used to enhance the patient experience.
“When we worked on freestanding emergency departments for Baptist Health Emergency Care in West Kendall (Country Walk) and Baptist Health Emergency Care in Coral Way West, we focused on showcasing cutting-edge design that integrates advanced emergency care while ensuring patient comfort through user-centered architectural strategies,” Mr. Cano said.
These facilities feature a progression of low-acuity treatment rooms at the front and higher-acuity treatment rooms toward the back. Patients arriving by ambulance enter at the rear, where trauma bays are located and the highest-acuity patients receive care.
Designing with the future in mind
Technology is playing an increasingly important role in patient care. As a result, tools like telemedicine and diagnostic equipment must be incorporated into the architectural framework of outpatient facilities.
“Advanced infrastructure is particularly important in FSEDs because they are equipped with high-end medical technology, including CT scanners, MRIs and advanced diagnostic tools,” Mr. Cano said. “The design must accommodate these complex systems and provide dedicated space for imaging and diagnostic testing.”
Being future-ready requires a facilities’ infrastructure to be able to accommodate different technologies as they are introduced. When Gresham Smith designs IT closets, for example, the team leaves extra space for future technologies that aren’t on healthcare organizations’ radars yet.
As health system leaders continue to innovate and invest in outpatient facilities, it’s essential to create flexible designs that can adapt to future needs and technologies while keeping positive patient outcomes in mind.
“It’s important to consider patient satisfaction and efficiency for the staff,” Mr. Cano said. “Care processes must flow in a logical manner, so staff don’t have to walk all over the facility to accomplish their work.”
