Throughout his 40 years of involvement with Parkland Health, Anderson established a number of community-based health clinics in neighborhoods that lacked services. While he stepped down from the Parkland in 2011 after the hospital had failed several health inspections, Anderson was known to connect with disadvantaged patients on a personal level. About 12 of his clinics that were opened in underserved neighborhoods are still standing today.

To continue his tradition of providing health care services to disadvantaged communities, the ambulatory clinic broke ground July 10, 2014. The building was substantially completed on Oct. 30, 2016.

Dallas-based FKP Architects was responsible for designing the interior of the hospital while Dallas-based VAI Architects was responsible for the exterior core and shell of the building. Kansas City, Mo.-based JE Dunn and Dallas-based Roberts O’Brien worked together as the general contractors.

One of the building’s main features includes a sky bridge that connects the ambulatory clinic to the main hospital on the second floor. An additional connection is made through the lower level, according to a statement from Parkland Health. Additional supplies and hospital equipment can be transported to the building through an underground tunnel.

The facility’s design also incorporates 171 exam rooms as well as four MRI machines, five CT scanners, three radiology units and seven ultrasound rooms with the capacity to expand. The facility also comes with a pharmacy that will operate 24/7, according to a statement from Parkland Health.

One of the biggest challenges during construction was that the building was designed several times based on changes. This also extended the construction schedule.

The ambulatory clinic will be located next to the DART green line, making it easier for staff and patients to access the hospital’s services. This also continues Anderson’s tradition of making services accessible to everyone in the Dallas community.

“Patients, family and staff members can easily get to the clinic via light rail or DART buses,” said Jerry Nickerson, Jr., Parkland’s interim vice president of facilities and development in a statement.

During 2016, there were more than 355,000 outpatient specialty clinic visits. In March of that year, Fred Cerise, M.D., MPH succeeded Anderson and is now in responsible for monitoring the ambulatory clinic’s progress while receiving feedback from patients and staff.

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The total cost to build the new tower is $244 million, an increase from $239 million after a $5 million approval to add a hybrid procedure room. The project is Sharp HealthCare’s largest investment to date and is being funded through philanthropic donations to Sharp HealthCare Foundation, bonds, cash reserves and the Medi-Cal hospital fee program, according to a statement from Sharp HealthCare.

“We’re committed to expanding Sharp Chula Vista as this bi-national community continues to grow,” said Pablo Velez, Ph.D., RN, chief executive officer at Sharp Chula Vista, in a statement.

The design-build team for the project includes Greely, Colo.-based general contractor Hensel Phelps; Los Angeles-based architecture firm SmithGroupJJR; and San Diego-based architecture firm AVRP Studios. The grand opening of the new hospital at Sharp Chula Vista is anticipated for 2019.

One of the newest features in the hospital is the redesigned main entrance and lobby. Here, large windows will greet patients with natural light, which will also help to maintain internal temperatures during summer months.

“What really makes this project special is that so many of the craftsmen on the project call the South Bay home and utilize Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center for their health care needs,” said Damian Buessing, director of operations at Hensel Phelps, in a statement.

The hospital will also feature five high-tech surgical suites that offer state-of-the-art technology that used to meet the needs of patients who come to Sharp Chula Vista with health problems that could not be treated at other hospitals.

At 343 beds, the hospital will provide a comprehensive heart program and will also offer specialized orthopedic care for and women and infants. Sharp Chula Vista is the largest health care provider in South County and one of the largest private employers in the county as well, employing more than 2,000 staff and maintaining relationships with nearly 500 affiliated physicians.

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From cleanliness and accessibility to heavy wear, hospitals face a unique set of challenges. Flooring is no exception. It’s a crucial part of creating a quality care setting. Below, are various factors to consider when choosing flooring for a health care facility and also steps on how to incorporate evidence-based design into a hospital flooring plan.

When discussing evidence-based design in hospital flooring, it’s a smart bet to lean heavily on the guidelines provided by The Center for Health Design (CHD), which, in 2012, published a peer-reviewed guide to implementing evidence-based design (EBD) in the selection of health care flooring. The guide draws on EBD and original research, detailing industry best practices for flooring. This approach sees real results that help promote the well-being of those who walk through a health care facility’s doors. Here are some key considerations for weighing your health care flooring options.

Pay Attention to Flooring

The entrance of a hospital, its corridors and clinical areas serve different purposes and will face different pressures. Entrances, for instance, are the first areas patients, families and visitors see in a hospital. They also experience some of the heaviest foot traffic. A health care facility will want a welcoming floor that promotes the specific design vision and makes a strong first impression for its patrons. Corridors also see heavy use, including foot traffic and heavy rolling loads, such as equipment carts, stretchers, med carts and wheelchairs. Clinical areas are at the highest risk of accumulating pathogens and other harmful germs.

Minimizing Fall Risk

Choosing the right flooring can minimize the risk of patients sustaining falls, so hospital flooring should be slip-resistant, impermeable and easily cleaned. That’s all easy enough, but other EBD standards such as recommendations for finishes are not as obvious. The finishing on hospital flooring should have a low reflectance value as to prevent glare, and joints and seams should be few and far between in order to prevent tripping.

Texture & Noise Absorption

Texture affects many aspects of the flooring’s performance, ranging from noise absorbance to reducing injuries related to falling. Preventing falls is important, but they will inevitably happen, and floors that have energy-absorbent properties will minimize injuries of staff or patients who fall. This can also be achieved through underlays that will increase cushioning. Underlays and finishes can also be used for noise absorbance, reducing noise from rolling carts or heavy foot traffic.

Reducing Staff Fatigue

Nurses, doctors and other health care facility personnel work long shifts. And, for much of those shifts, they’re on their feet. Cushioned flooring or mats can reduce staff fatigue, saving their feet and their sanity. However, CHD recommends that cushioning be combined with roller mobility, so that equipment can still be transferred easily.

Minimizing Risk of Infections

Health care associated infections (HAIs) are a health care facility’s nightmare. EBD can guide hospitals in choosing flooring that best mitigates the risk of HAI, while improving the overall patient experience. CHD has a host of recommendations to this end. It recommends against using carpet, especially in burn units and operating rooms, where the risk for airborne pathogens is high.

Going Green

LEED guidelines shouldn’t be ignored when choosing a flooring solution that works for you. In addition to allowing your facility to be in accordance with USGBC standards, choosing the right floor coverings will also improve the indoor air quality of your facility. The LEED for Healthcare guide offers guidance on how to best accomplish this.

Aaron Hartung is the marketing manager at Spectra Contract Flooring, the largest commercial flooring contractor in the U.S. He can be reached at 303-778-8665.

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