SCA First Coast is an 11,780 s.f., three-OR licensed surgery center. The project occurred at a time when the industry was facing pending regulatory changes and the team needed a design that could anticipate and adapt to those changes. The base design already included larger ORs and more space in the sterile processing areas to handle more complex cases that recently moved to the outpatient environment.

More critically, the team took into consideration the ability adapt the design if, over the course of the project, local codes changed to permit extended stay beds. To that end, the initial design of the peri-op space was flexible so that current code was met but, could be easily modified if extended stay requirements changed. Ultimately, extended stay was adopted, and the design team quickly implemented 23-hour rooms in place of strategically located open bays. This ability to anticipate change saved time and money for the owner and did not disrupt the construction process.

The clean design of the facility allows for operational efficiency. Patients move from the pre-op to surgery to post-op without having to double back for services. This prevents unwanted cross traffic and is better for patient flow. Material movement is also carefully considered, with supplies moving efficiently from receiving to administration, peri-op, and the surgical space without cross traffic.