IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES
Access Community Health Centers, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), wanted to expand its services in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area. Access saw a new facility as an opportunity to reinvent their approach with a patient-centered medical home model and an integrated care team concept. That meant offering primary, dental, and behavioral health care, pharmacy services, as well as resources for housing, food assistance, and employment counseling—all in one convenient location. Access’ business goals for the new facility included:
- Improving efficiency and throughput to serve more patients and increase access to exceptional care
- Developing a top-notch facility and work environment that supported staff recruitment and retention
- Realizing a return on investment
- Keeping first costs and operational costs within a conservative budget
APPROACH / OUTCOME
Access chose ERDMAN to program, plan, design, and deliver a facility through an accelerated project schedule. Although they had a general idea for a new patient-centered model, Access looked to ERDMAN to provide a range of alternatives for the new facility’s design. ERDMAN responded with the following solutions to help Access achieve a new facility that would ultimately meet their business goals:
- Focused on understanding Access’ vision for a new kind of facility, rather than relying on a pre-established facility template
- Presented a gamut of design options, with a wide cost range, allowing Access to satisfy their needs while staying within budget
- Designed a layout that minimizes steps, promotes faster throughput, and allows convenient staff access to exam rooms
- Measured and analyzed demand projections and aligned them to facility design—while still allowing flexibility for evolving market demands
- Suggested interior finishes, lighting, and design strategies that create a comfortable, calming space and enhance the patient experience
- Conducted full-scale modeling mock-ups to acquire valuable user insights—as well as staff buy-in—which also minimized changes at the construction stage and helped control costs
The completed Joyce & Marshall Erdman Clinic now offers convenient access to high-quality, affordable preventive health care to the underinsured in the area.
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Madison, WI
- 22,500 SF, two-story medical office building
- Services include primary care, dental care, behavioral health services and a pharmacy.
- Construction Cost: $4,348,069
- Completed: 2013