Healthcare Design - August 2023 - 49

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Q&A
Haewon Kim-LaBroad
Principal and Director of Clinical Planning, Hoefer Welker
How does your firm work
with clients to help them
navigate the current
healthcare market?
Hoefer Welker is a processoriented
organization that
collaborates with clients to
create performance-driven
solutions. We listen first and
draw second, asking questions
to understand our client's vision
and expectations, whether it's
aesthetic, operational, functional,
or from a protocol perspective.
Through this process, we develop
solutions tailored to each client's
unique critical metrics and
processes, incorporating enough
flexibility to adapt quickly to a
rapidly changing environment.
Finally, by employing
comprehensive project and
budget management processes,
we ensure success by staying on
track with timelines and costs.
This is especially valuable in
helping our clients navigate the
current budget-tight market.
What approach does your
firm use to design spaces
that support care delivery
today but provide enough
flexibility for unknowns of
the future?
To design spaces that support
unknowns of the future, we
take an anticipatory approach
with flexibility, adaptability,
and scalability in mind. Our
work encompasses flexible
and modular design principles
so spaces can be easily
reconfigured and adapted,
making modifications quicker
and less painful. As part of this
approach, scalability is included
to accommodate future growth.
Our solutions can adapt to
evolving care models, changing
volumes, and advancing
technology. To achieve this,
we conduct thorough research
and engage with specialized
consultants, which enables us
to craft tailored solutions that
anticipate and are compatible
with upcoming operating systems
and protocols.
The University of Kansas Health System Proton Therapy Center, Kansas City, Kan. Photo: Michael Robinson
What's one major design or
care delivery trend that's
shaping your work today?
And how so?
A timeless trend in healthcare
planning that shapes our design
solutions is reducing stress
for patients, staff, and visitors.
To achieve this, our design
philosophy is to create efficient
circulation systems that minimize
convoluted routes that could
adversely cause higher stress
levels. We also functionally zone
spaces together based on the
frequency of use to reduce
travel distance, and leverage
technology to streamline
communication and access to
information. These strategies
are paired with visual cues
and signage to create a clear
wayfinding system. This is a trend
we can always incorporate into
our design.
How will the design of
healthcare spaces change
to meet the demands of
today's consumers?
Healthcare facilities are utilizing
advanced technologies through
the application of automation,
smart devices, and artificial
intelligence to meet the demands
of today's consumers while
boosting operational efficiencies.
RFID systems are used to track
equipment, staff, and patients
on campus, smartboards
are installed to better share
information, and digital pathology
is used to improve diagnosis
precision and workflow efficiency.
Telehealth is also revolutionizing
care by allowing healthcare
providers to connect remotely
with consult, examination, and
inpatient rooms. This makes care
more convenient and accessible
for patients at home, especially
in rural areas where medical
facilities may be lacking.
hoeferwelker.com

http://www.hoeferwelker.com

Healthcare Design - August 2023

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