Colorado-Real-Estate-Journal_418671

28 / BUILDING DIALOGUE / SEPTEMBER 2024 ELEMENTS Health Care Ambulatory Surgery Centers: Optimize Patient Experience W hether patients are seeking a colonoscopy, arthroscopic knee surgery, cataract surgery, a tonsillectomy or a face-lift, the odds are much higher now than in the past that they will have the procedure at an ambulatory surgery center rather than a hospital. According to the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, there are 147 licensed ASCs in the state, where approx- imately 2,350 physicians offer surgical services. Colorado ASCs provide nearly 400,000 procedures every year, and this number is only predicted to grow. Some ASCs are owned by hospitals looking to extend their reach. The cen- ters also reduce hospital overcrowding, allowing hospitals to focus on more acute surgeries. Others are owned by physician groups, including surgeons and specialists who perform procedures there, or by corporations or manage- ment companies. Convenient location, thoughtful design and patient comfort are priorities when developing new ASCs. They are often located away from city centers in suburbs, re- ducing driving time and traffic. Also, because ASCs tend to be smaller and more focused on specific procedures, a higher emphasis can be placed on providing an opti- mized patient experience and high-quality care at af- fordable prices. n Up-front hospitality. Benefits that come into play even before arrival often include digital communica- tion, clear wayfinding, attractive landscaping, and con- venient parking. Wide sidewalks and entry paths appropriate for wheel- chair accessibility and pull-up circles for covered drop- off and pickup are essential for patient ease of arrival. Landscaping should feel thoughtfully planned but not overly manicured, with native plants, seasonal touches and evergreen appeal. Check-in should be efficient yet welcoming, reducing the anxiety that comes with any surgical procedure, no matter how “routine.” Thoughtful interior design marks the difference between an institutional medical feel and a chic hotel vibe. The in- clusion of upscale furnishings, local art, less obtrusive med- ical gases and equipment, a calming color palette, and bio- philic design supports impressions of both hospitality and high-quality clinical care. Waiting areas should be uncluttered, with abundant nat- ural light, neutral colors and natural wood, soothing art and greenery, and multiple outlets for charging cell phones and computers. Upscale furnishings and accents, with furniture groupings that allow for patient and visitor privacy, provide hospitali- ty and ambience. Designers borrow ideas from local geogra- phy, landmarks, and culture. ASCs our team has designed for the Western region of the U.S. include natural materials like wood and stone, murals of nearby mountains with snowy Akshay Sangolli, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, LEED AP BD+C Lead Medical Planner and Regional Health- care Director, Page Hank Burns, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Technical Director, Page Akshay Sangolli Billings Clinic: Bozeman ASC’s waiting area creates a warm, wel- coming and comforting environment by embracing biophilic de- sign elements and the local cultural context. Because ASCs tend to be smaller and more focused on specific procedures, a higher emphasis can be placed on providing an optimized patient experience and high-quality care at affordable prices.