AdventHealth Waterman Expansion and Renovation

To meet the needs of a growing Lake County community, enable flexibility for the future and increase connectivity to the larger network, AdventHealth Waterman selected Gresham Smith to provide architectural and engineering services to add a four-story patient tower to the existing hospital. The addition expands the emergency department, relocates the OB and pediatric services, adds a rehabilitation unit and provides shell space for future medical and surgical units. Gresham Smith also renovated the hospital’s pharmacy to meet USP <800> safety standards and promote patient safety, worker safety and environmental protection when handling hazardous drugs.

111k

square feet

stories

287

total beds, up from 269

A Striking Design

AdventHealth Waterman’s cloverleaf building footprint and canvased canopy entrance are iconic to the hospital. To create a cohesive campus, our design team continued the strong architectural features on the addition and included another stiking canopy while still maintaining the critical hurricane wind load requirements for buildings in the area.

Connecting the Dots

To connect the addition to the existing hospital, our team had to construct a basement-level tunnel adjacent to the functioning emergency department. We also removed the existing ambulance canopy before creating a new public drop-off loop and curbside canopy with a covered walkway to the public entrance.

Flexibility to Support a Growing Community

The new tower provides the increased capacity the hospital needs in order to better serve the growing community, expanding the hospital from 269 beds to 287. Modular furniture at nurse stations and within emergency department exam rooms create flexibility for the future, while connecting doors between post-partum rooms create enhance adaptability as rooms can be offered to family members depending on capacity. Additionally, the fourth floor is shelled for future vertical expansion with structural support for two additional future floors.

Designing for Efficiency and Connectivity

The project improves operational efficiencies for both staff and patients. A new corridor joins the main hospital entrance and emergency department entrance, easing wayfinding for patients. Pods of exam room pods in the emergency department are connected by corridors and team stations to enhance collaboration, while standardized patient rooms and staff support spaces streamline everyday processes. A “results pending” lounge for low acuity patients frees up valuable exam room space and physician workspaces at nurse stations, instead of traditional physician offices, create additional space for patient care.

Providing a Positive Patient Experience

To enhance the patient experience, the new tower was designed to maximize daylight and views of the campus’ lake. Color-changing LED lights serve as wayfinding in the corridors and help rehabilitation patients benchmark their progress, and power outlets in waiting area furniture allow visitors to easily charge their devices. In patient rooms, convertible sleeper sofas offer family members and guests a space for working or resting. The pediatric exam and patient rooms incorporate an “under the sea” theme to comfort young patients and connect to the AdventHealth network of care.

A Right-Sized Rehabilitation Space

The design team strategically located the fourth-floor rehabilitation unit where it would have the best view of the campus’ lake. A vibrant color palette infuses energy throughout the space and recessed benches in the corridors act as points of respite for patients. Patients and family members have access to a full-size kitchen and dining area, which provides a sense of “home” and can be therapeutic for all.

Safety for Patients, Providers & the Planet

The renovated pharmacy is designed around the United States Pharmacopeial Convention’s (USP) General Chapter <800>, a 2019 standard for safely handling hazardous drugs to minimize the risk of exposure to healthcare personnel, patients and the environment. The space includes separate, dedicated hazardous and non-hazardous storage, as well as hazardous and non-hazardous sterile compounding rooms.