PHOTO TOUR: Methodist Jennie Edmundson MOB
William Hess Photography
Located on a major thoroughfare, the view of the southwest corner of the building improves the campus and the surrounding community. This new development replaced a dilapidated apartment building and several private residences. The design widens the visual connection from the main roadway through the city to the hospital campus.
William Hess Photography
The building’s monumental signage and branding are prominently displayed on the main intersection coming into the city near one of the main entries to the hospital campus.
William Hess Photography
The site design includes a healing garden at the building’s southwest corner where patients can sit and wait for their ride with a view of native plants and several sculptural elements. The expansion of parking included additional spaces to the south for patients and the east for staff. Placement of the building on the site was carefully considered by studying 3D models showing the building’s relationship to the busy boulevard and the adjacent hospital.
William Hess Photography
The entrance lobby on the first floor near the elevators offers a view into the primary care and orthopedic clinic.
William Hess Photography
HBA developed a design standard with material selections of wood and simulated stone. The reception desk configuration was tailored to the health system’s method of greeting and checking-in patients.
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The second-floor diagnostic center nurses’ station features large windows that allow for ample natural light.
William Hess Photography
Careful consideration given to the exterior of the building and window placement allowed for equally sized exam rooms on a defined window module.
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Input and engagement from the user groups led to a traditional nurse station design. The result maximizes views of the exam rooms, increases staff efficiency, and improves daily workflow.
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The OB ultrasound rooms factored how a doctor and nurse engage with the patient and family, improving overall ergonomics and patient experience by making the rooms more spacious than required to accommodate more family members. Additionally, mounting an overhead monitor provided easier visibility for the patient and the family.
William Hess Photography
From the control area in the X-ray suite, the caregiver can monitor the patient and control the level of light to ensure comfort during a procedure.
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The design of the lab space included input from the users along with an understanding of the needs and placement for each piece of equipment for maximum workflow and process.
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The OB/GYN treatment rooms include plenty of light with hidden roller shades when privacy and light control is needed. The cabinet design included roll-in base cabinets to hide equipment when not in use, which also reduces intimidation for the patient when entering the room. Additional drawers were also needed to accommodate instruments needed during a minor procedure.
William Hess Photography
The design of the OB/GYN nurse stations was customized to allow for sit-down work areas for the physicians on the corridor side of the desk. This promoted interaction as the physicians could work closely with nursing staff face-to-face.
William Hess Photography
The mammography suite features state-of-the-art equipment, including monitors in the room on either side of the scanning unit, to provide a visual distraction for the patient during a scan. Lighting throughout is also dimmable to achieve a softer appearance. A secluded sub-waiting room adjacent to the private dressing rooms also provides privacy for gowned patients.
Nebraska Methodist Health System’s (Omaha, Neb.) Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, wanted to offer western Iowa families more healthcare options, specifically greater access to primary care and women’s services.
Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital engaged Holland Basham Architects (HBA; Omaha) to expand the hospital’s campus to do just that. The result is a three-story, 63,144-square-foot medical office building completed in June.
The first floor houses primary care and orthopedic clinics, including exam rooms, treatment rooms, intake areas, nurse/physician pods, an X-ray suite, and a diagnostic lab. The second floor has women’s and perinatal services with exam/ultrasound rooms, non-stress testing rooms, treatment rooms, intake areas, mammography, ultrasound, and bone density scanner. A gastrointestinal clinic makes up the third floor, with flex space for growth.
The overall design was guided by the desire for a new and more attractive front door for the campus. This building provides that with a more contemporary look and unique branding opportunities. One of the goals for the project included making the new clinics more easily accessible to patients. By relocating clinics from their former locations on campus, parking is now more convenient for patients, the drop-off is immediate, and access is directly inside the front door. Each clinic entrance is on each floor’s lobby, which also makes wayfinding simpler.
Project details:
Facility Name: Methodist Jennie Edmundson Medical Office Building
Location: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Completion date: June 2020
Owner: Nebraska Methodist Health System
Total building area: 63,144 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: $13 million (core and shell)
Cost/sq. ft.: $206/sq. ft. (core and shell)
Architecture firm: Holland Basham Architects
Interior design: Holland Basham Architects
Engineering: Specialized Engineering Solutions (mechanical/electrical /plumbing/fire protection); Nielsen Baumert Engineering (structural); Olsson (civil)
General contractor/builder: The Graham Group Inc. Construction Division
