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Healthcare Design Conference + Expo facility tours provide attendees with an opportunity to see firsthand some of the innovative designs and community strategies taking shape within the host city. New Orleans will host three tours from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 4th as part of this year’s conference.
Here’s a profile of one of those tours. For registration or more on HCD Conference + Expo taking place November 4-7 in New Orleans, visit hcdexpo.com.
West Jefferson Medical Center-LCMC Health of Marrero, La. In 2017, health system LCMC Health (New Orleans) took on long-term operation of West Jefferson Medical Center (WJMC) in Marrero, La. Known locally as “West Jeff,” it serves a population on the West Bank of greater New Orleans but remains relatively isolated among LCMC’s network.
That summer, leadership from both LCMC and WJMC undertook a master-planning initiative, outlining several major projects and phases for a five-year strategic plan.
Mastering Plan Design Goals
Although initially intended to begin simultaneously, projects began on a staggered schedule to minimize disruption for patients, staff and visitors at West Jeff campus.
Although comprised of numerous individual design packages, West Jeff consolidated these projects under three strategic goals based around improving outpatient services/ambulatory surgery center, expanding and modernizing emergency and endoscopy departments and renovating the South Tower (West Jeff’s largest patient tower) by creating a new main entrance and reconceptualizing public spaces.
Modernizing the surgical department was originally part of a fourth strategic goal; however, due to changes within our organization this goal has now been moved into phase 5.
Key Elements of Medical Center Campus Transformation
Outpatient-focused projects commenced with the relocation and renovation of the wound care clinic to create space to expand an existing ambulatory surgery center, including pre- and post-op areas as well as two large operating rooms (ORs). A new entrance lobby provides staff and visitors with visual connections between this newly created reception/waiting space and existing outpatient clinics and inpatient parts of the medical center.
Due to an increase in patient numbers, modernizing the emergency department (ED) and endoscopy department were integral parts of strategic goals. Since its existing ED had only undergone minor repairs or renovations during its four decades of existence. Furthermore, an increased need to reduce wait times for emergent patients necessitated undertaking this project as part of a long-term strategic initiative.
On the first floor of the renovated ICU building, a triple in size and capacity endoscopy department was established on the first floor, followed by expansion of ED into its old location containing fast track pod, additional trauma bays and exam pods dedicated to behavioral health and senior population specialized exam pods. An exterior canopy matching outpatient entrance design features painted steel beams with glass canopies providing weather protection to patients and visitors.
Renovation of the South Tower involved replacing its main entrance and first-floor public spaces, as well as maintaining most patient beds throughout each stage of floor-by-floor renovation. As this was one of the longest and most complex strategic projects ever attempted at an academic hospital, involving multiple patient tower beds remaining operational while work continued.
This project involved the construction of specific floors to accommodate pandemic upgrades, as well as an entirely new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with supportive spaces for its operation, surgery recovery, and general med/surg departments.
The tower’s new main entrance and adjacent concourse public spaces provide a smooth experience for visitors to its community, including waiting and dining areas, an updated outdoor dining courtyard, and a coffee bar.
Patient rooms were modified from their original configuration to integrate restrooms within them in order to create a noise buffer from corridor and staff areas and allow plenty of natural light and views into each room.
Modern Facade Design
All projects involved the renovation and modernization of the hospital exterior appearance, with one significant element being a completely rebranded and modern facade for its patient tower. Originally, eight-story building had a distinctively aggressive saw-tooth shaped concrete face; thus construction of new flattened modern facade outside existing exterior wall provided additional family space within patient rooms as well as redefined campus vernacular.
These new elements were coordinated with exteriors of the Emergency Department (ED), Outpatient Entrance (OPE), and Main Entrance to create an aesthetic unifying the medical center campus. Interior public spaces also utilized common elements and finishes that create an inviting aesthetic.
Details regarding the West Jefferson Medical Center-LCMC Health project.
Location: Marrero, Louisiana
Completion Dates: desfasolum surgery center/wound care/outpatient entrance renovation and expansion slated for September 2020; endoscopy/ICU pandemic upgrades addition/renovation scheduled for June 2022 and South Tower main entrance/concourse and public spaces addition/renovation (anticipated spring 2024)
Total building area: Ambulatory Surgery Center/Wound Care/Outpatient Entrance Addition, 40130 sq. ft; Emergency Department upgrades with endoscopy/ICU upgrades addition of 63,039 sq ft. and South Tower/Main Entrance/Concourse and Public Space Addition/Renovation totaling 127530 sq ft
Owner: Community-owned service district hospital operated by LCMC Health
Total construction cost: $85.5 Million
Cost per Square Foot of Flooring Installation: $367/Sq Foot
