Akron Children’s Hospital Expands Outpatient Services, Improves Access

The recently completed, 230,000-square-foot Considine Professional Building addition at Akron Children’s Hospital, located in Akron, Ohio, improves access and consolidates various outpatient locations including primary care, laboratory, pharmacy and specialty services. The seven-story addition, designed by Hasenstab Architects, incorporates a streamlined registration process, standardized exam rooms and provides various amenities to facilitate positive and enjoyable visits for patients and families.

Entrance-based check-in locations allow patients and families to accomplish much of the check-in process upon entering the building – reducing wait times and enhancing wayfinding. An outpatient pharmacy, lab and grab-and-go café add to the building’s convenience and accessibility.

To further enhance wayfinding, and to provide positive distractions for visitors, regionally inspired floor themes and distinct color palettes were implemented. Custom wall graphics and arrival desk-glazing design help to emphasize each floor’s theme and distinguish between the 13 different departments within the addition.

Staff areas include in-clinic collaboration areas and touch-down work stations. Out-of-clinic work areas incorporate both open work stations and closed offices to support departmental functions. To increase flexibility, movable partitions were utilized to allow for reorganization as department needs change.

Building on the success of the Kay Jewelers Pavilion project, full-scale mock-ups and Lean philosophies served as a foundation for integrated operational planning, design and construction. A three-party, Integrated Project Delivery agreement was utilized.

Welty Building Company served as general contractor.

Photos courtesy of ©ScottPease/PeasePhotography.com.