The 2015 addition to The Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is a breath of fresh air to the aging ED and patient tower. The new Center for Advance Care (CAC) is made up of a cancer center, gastrointestinal care, and surgical units. The extension was designed by Smith Group. We met with Pablo, Smith Group Architect, who discussed the intricate design decisions they made to achieve the goals of the new center. The most obvious move is the swooping curtain wall at the entrance of the building. The curve makes up the walkway from the ED/inpatient units to the new building. The walkway is beaming with natural lighting, making for a positive transition. As you enter the cancer center, there is a beautifully designed waiting space for patients. The design team took into consideration the privacy of the patients who are discussing sensitive information.
The topic of patient dignity was a constant throughout our tour. First, registration for cancer patients is in a private room. There is a door on the public side and another on the private clinical side. The idea is that while the patient is registering the doctor can come in and introduce themselves. They are then able to make a smooth, private transition into the clinical space. The examination rooms also provide privacy to the patient by using the door as a screen. The consultation rooms for patient, family, physician discussions are comfortable spaces separate from exam rooms. This allows patients to get dressed and sit in a comfortable space for sometimes difficult discussions. The Linear Accelerator room (LINAC) is designed with warm finishes and a sound system to make for a comfortable experience. Smith Group also used a thicker entry door to avoid having to create a winding entrance due to LINAC radiation. Outside the LINAC room, patients have a variety of spaces to wait in. There is a public waiting area, where patients can sit with each other and chat. We were told that patients receiving treatment often have consistent weekly schedules, so they create relationships with other patients. However, if a student isn't feeling well one day they have the opportunity to wait in a private room.
Smith Group did a fantastic job designing the CAC to create a positive environment for patients going through a negative treatment. In comparison to other spaces we've been to this semester like Mt. Sinai and Stroger, the CAC challenges the feeling that a health care space evokes. The CAC gives almost merges the essence of healthcare with that of a spa. While cancer treatment is much different than an ED or an inpatient tower, who's to say that patients can't have a relaxed feeling when they receive the care that is most important to them.
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