Novant Health | New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Cardiology Center
The new Cardiology Center for NHRMC consolidates multiple offices and departments to provide improved outpatient services. This 3-story, 63,000 SF medical office building is sited on hospital-owned land near the main NHRMC campus. The new location is more convenient for users and helps decrease congestion on the main campus.
The ground floor of the new facility consolidates three existing medical practice facilities into one clinical space. Upper floors provide space for cardiac imaging (stress testing, nuclear imaging, etc.), a pacemaker lab, office space, and a full cardiac rehab area with walking track, education counseling rooms, central registration, and education spaces.
This project embraces several of the emerging trend in medical office building development including using an open office concept for physicians with dedicated “quiet” areas for private phone calls in order to help reduce space allotted for non- revenue generating activities and maximize the space associated with patient care. The rehab gym, Healthy Juice Bar, and educational facilities are used by multiple user groups.
LOCATION: Wilmington, NC
SIZE: 63,000 SF
COMPLETED: 2014
Awards
2021 Gold Awards for Building Tech Systems ACEC New York Engineering Excellence Awards
Design Matters
The new design is a “win” on all fronts, providing more welcoming, less stressful, and better coordinated cardiac care. The building, in close proximity to the hospital, is open and visually connected, with two large program wings connected by an expansive atrium. Downstairs, clinical spaces from all four practices are consolidated on the ground floor for easy access. Upper floors provide space for cardiac imaging (stress testing, nuclear imaging, etc.), a pacemaker lab, office space, and a full cardiac rehab area with walking track, education counseling rooms, central registration, and education spaces.
Upper level workspaces are designed with openness and ease of collaboration in mind. In lieu of traditional enclosed physician’s offices, care providers use open work spaces and shared collaboration areas to facilitate communication.
The design of the building was meant to enhance the patient experience. Patient flow has drastically been improved resulting in much greater physician as well as patient satisfaction.
Dora Daughtee | NHRMC Practice Administrator
Key Upgrades
- Clinics are able to accommodate more than 200 patients per day in special testing, the cardiac clinic, and the device clinic.
The imaging staff is able to assist 25 more patients a day than before. - The cardiac rehab staff can now work with 140 patients a day, capitalizing on the added benefit of having cardiac and pulmonary services in one location instead of two.
- NHRMS is now paying for operations, maintenance, staffing, and facilities costs of one building instead of three.
- The new facility has already saved +/-$500 K in operations costs, due to changes in patient volumes along with the elimination of redundant positions
