Presence Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago built a sustainable outpatient center to support active and sustainable community, according to an article on the Medical Construction and Design website.
A sky bridge connects the existing hospital to the new Presence Center for Advanced Care (PCAC) across the street, offering a convenient and safe way for patients and physicians to travel between facilities.
Studies have shown that incorporating nature-inspired spaces into healthcare design increases positive outcomes. At the PCAC, the views of nearby Lake Michigan, Lincoln Park and rooftop gardens plus the interior bamboo grove help create an environment of serenity and healing, the article said.
Tracking to achieve LEED Gold, the PCAC implemented various solutions to better manage water and waste, in addition to creating better facility circulation patterns and space for future expansion.
The PCAC is also a completely digital hospital. In addition to medical and personal technology, the facility offers a range of smart technologies such as digital kiosks to complement its traditional registration area, Wi-Fi, medical equipment such as X-ray machines and linear accelerators, electronic medical records, video conferencing tools and an online patient portal.