St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, is a leading Magnet healthcare provider in a rapidly expanding market. The two hospital system contacted MMA to design their new flagship state-of-the-art Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit as the first phase of improvements to the entire neurosurgical service line. The design incorporates all of the leading patient care and family design features and is configured for future growth. Located at the front door to the hospital, the new design establishes an aesthetic platform from which subsequent projects will borrow from, launching the modernization of this 60’s era plant.

Rooftop addition on facility not structured for vertical expansion

A previous architect master planner devised plans on the assumption that existing facilities were designed for future vertical expansion. The owner developed project implementation plans and capital expenditure budgets based on those recommendations. When MMA was commissioned to design the first phase of a complete neurosciences services overhaul they immediately conducted an in-depth survey of existing conditions including deep piling investigations that confirmed that the existing 1960s-era facilities were not structured for vertical expansion. MMA’s expertise in configuring optimal solutions under difficult constraints enabled the owner to move forward with a rooftop expansion even under stringent seismic and hurricane forces. The new NICU design is extremely efficient, flexible and is designed to work integrally with the Phase 2 step down Neuroscience expansion.

Low Cost / Major Improvement

A $300,000 investment funded a comprehensive, functional redesign of Candler Hospital’s Emergency Department front entrance, which serves 60,000 annual visits. No loss of existing functioning space was necessary for MMA to figure out how to meet increased patient volumes in tight quarters. The complex three-phase project occurred in the midst of 24-hour ongoing operations. Custom-tailored Triage, intake and discharge processes, improved ambulance traffic flow, improved staff station visibility /functionality are embodied in the design concept. MMA provided the client with several options to choose from then worked with staff to design functionality down to the ‘J number’ printer. The staff could not believe how much larger the nurse’s area felt and how a threefold increase in Triage space was achieved within existing constraints.

St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital showcases the abilities to expand and grow as well as being an integral part of the local healthcare and wellness system. The additional construction to this site will further improve the lives, living and working conditions for all patients and hospital staff in addition to promoting an ever-improving environment.