To meet the needs of a growing satellite community of Spokane, Wash., Providence Medical Group created a new facility to provide comprehensive healthcare. Designed by Mahlum and opened in April 2014, the medical park allows a patient to visit a primary care doctor, have diagnostic tests, pick up a prescription, and follow up with a specialist all in the same day under one roof. The new facility is part of the largest healthcare hub between Seattle and Minneapolis.

By utilizing Lean concepts, this hybrid facility reduces wait times for patients, permits quicker diagnosis, and allows faster treatment. “Comprehensive outpatient centers are the way of the future, focusing on convenience and affordability,” says Mike Wilson, former CEO of Providence Health Care.

The two wings are defined by internal programs: Primary and specialty care fill three stories to the north, and clinical technologies fill two stories to the south. This clustered organization streamlines operations and permits mechanical and electrical systems to be segregated and tailored to specific requirements, such as air changes, hours of operation, and emergency power demand. The building chassis also maximizes future tenant flexibility by allowing easy evolution of clinical services as future needs and medical practice change.

Prominently located off the interstate near established public and commercial services, the 134,000-square-foot outpatient center includes two clearly marked entrances that lead to the clinic side of the building on the west and to the urgent care/ambulatory surgery entry on the east. Building massing provides covered drop-off at plazas with short-term parking and a circular drive-through. Native trees, hedges, and benches flank the paths to the front doors, providing moments of “decompression” for patients arriving from the parking lots.

A central hub with multiple registration stations greets visitors. Major circulation, elevator cores, and stairwells feed into this area, which opens to the landscape and distance views. Sitting areas outside each care department provide dispersed waiting areas throughout the facility.

Double-sided exam rooms support an on-stage/off-stage clinic model that keeps care team members in close proximity to patients and allows patients to self-room. This organization also permits staff workstations to be closely located to patient rooms while benefiting from extensive daylight.

Just as Lean medical planning and operations were embraced by staff and client leaders, the design and construction team deployed Lean design and construction methods. Design and delivery times were drastically reduced to just 22 months.