MURRIETA, Calif. – Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego (RCHSD) celebrated the unveiling of its new outpatient pediatric center on August 11 with a grand opening event open to the public.

Stantec Architecture of Irvine, Calif., and McCarthy Building Companies of San Diego partnered to deliver a three-story, 62,500-square-foot building to offer a total of 15 specialty clinics under one roof. The pediatric services include primary care, subspecialty care, developmental services and specialized programs for children on the autism spectrum.

The building is an extension of the main campus and incorporates some elements into the new facility that resemble the main campus, with features including a clock tower, a palm tree-lined entryway and an arching façade.

The project features other outdoor clinical spaces at the stepped terraces. The main interior staircase within the clock tower is glazed full height for patient and visitor safety and internally lit by colorful light fixtures.

The building was themed as the “Dream Center” and includes artwork and design elements featuring hot-air balloons that frequently mark the Murrieta skyline. The building is expected to achieve LEED Certification though design features such as green interior finishes, water use reduction through plumbing fixtures and landscaping, optimized energy performance, and proximity to public transportation. The facility is also outfitted to accept future telemedicine systems to allow staff and physicians to collaborate with Rady’s Main Campus.

RCHSD also has the specialized play equipment, staff, and room features to perform clinical studies and observation of their autistic children. Included in the program is a licensed Toddler Inclusionary Pre-School, which integrates children on the autism spectrum into a typical classroom and playground setting.

Joanne McAllister, principal-in-charge at Stantec Architecture, AIA, said that when the project was initially discussed between Rady Children’s and the community, they discovered that many of their patients were travelling over an hour to receive the specialty services at the main campus including those in the autism program.

“Since the project was somewhat remote to the larger cities and due to the increase in construction activity in general, it was difficult to meet the subcontractor bid requirements for the project,” said McAllister. “Fortunately, many subs had longstanding relationships with the contractor and hospital and we were able to get the quality and commitment from them.”

McAllister continued, stating that many community members attending the building opening mentioned that having those specialty services available close by created a noticeable convenience for patients and their families.

“I am so grateful and honored to work with an organization focused on the research and innovation that helps children and their families when they are at a time of their greatest need, and now within their own community,” McAllister concluded.

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MILTON, Ontario — The Milton District Hospital in Milton, Ontario opened doors to its new expansion on Oct. 1. The expansion offers an additional 330,000 square feet of new health care space to a community that continues to expand. The new space is projected to achieve LEED Gold status for its energy efficient-design.

Stantec Architecture, based out of New York, was the planning, design and compliance architect for the expansion. B+H Architects in Toronto, Ontario in collaboration with Baltimore-headquartered RTKL Architects served as the architects of record on the project.

The expansion features large windows and skylights that allow sunlight to pour into hospital hallways and rooms, creating a warm and homey environment for local residents coping with healthcare challenges, in addition to reducing energy costs for light and heating. Lush landscaping and courtyards are found outside many of the windows and the day surgery terrace, with the greenery continuing on the top of the building in the form of a green roof. Portions of the roofs are covered in plants and are visible from patient rooms. Stormwater is absorbed and used by the plants on the roof, as an alternative to a more traditional stormwater management system. Additionally, the green roof creates a cooling effect for the building.

The main lobby in the expansion features two-story windows, an automated donor wall, sitting area and cafeteria-style seating for those grabbing a bite to eat. To the right of the main entrance is the hospital’s new imaging department, including Milton’s first MRI scanner and fracture clinic. The expansion includes an emergency room that is three times the size of the previous and will have a capacity to serve 45,000 patients each year.

Located near the MRI area is a larger maternity department that includes everything from an early labor lounge to a Level 2A special care nursery for babies who need extra support and monitoring after birth. With specially chosen soft colors, large windows letting in plenty of natural light and local nature photos on the walls, the new nursery strives to be a homey place for new moms, babies and their families. Nine new labor, birth, recovery and post-partum (LBRP) rooms have been added to the expansion. In addition, the expansion features an operating suite dedicated to planned and emergency C-section deliveries in the maternity department, along with an associated recovery room.

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Research historically show that LGBT people sometimes experience health issues and barriers related to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression. This often means that they avoid or delay care or receive inappropriate or inferior care because of perceived or real homophobia or transphobia by health care providers and institutions. This is particularly heightened for LGBT sex workers, for example the stars of adult websites such as shemalehd sometimes claim that they feel unable to receive necessary healthcare.

The report said that a record total of 718 health care facilities — 121 of which are medical centers for veterans — in all 50 states pledged to give equal treatment to LGBT patients. It highlights details of the most recent Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), an annual survey conducted by the HRC Foundation since 2007. The 718 facilities listed in the survey are part of a 153 percent increase in participation compared to last year’s survey. It also said that 74 percent of respondents received recognition as Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality based on four criteria for equitable LGBT care, which was a 199 percent increase in facilities to achieve the status.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) made significant strides in its commitment to LGBT care, with 121 of the nation’s 151 VHA medical centers participating in the survey, as opposed to just one VHA participant in 2012. Almost 80 percent of those VHA facilities were awarded with the Equality Leader status.

Ninety-three percent of the 2013 survey participants prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and a record 87 percent ban discrimination against transgender patients. Also, 90 percent of respondents give equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and parents.

The 2013 survey required the participating facilities to document that employees in key work areas received expert training in the health needs of LGBT patients. Because of this, about 5,000 health care staff members participated in training provided through HEI.

According to a 2010 survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 28 percent of transgender and gender nonconforming people postponed medical care due to concerns related to discrimination. The HRC Foundation survey, however, indicates that health care facilities are aware of this mentality and working to bridge the gap of equality for LGBT patients.
 

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