Lakewalk Surgery Center Expansion

Improving Performance and Patient Flow

Challenge: Unsustainable Growth

When a plastic surgeon recognized a need for a patient-friendly independent surgery facility in his community, he contacted a local real estate developer. They formed a partnership and built a 46,000 square foot multi-specialty professional building. Soon after, core tenant Lakewalk Surgery Center opened inside and began offering streamlined, convenient out-patient services with a focus on hospitality—and private recovery rooms. This friendly, welcoming approach to patient service was, in a sense, too successful: Demand for surgeries was soon outpacing available recovery space.

Vision: Proper Ratio of Recovery to Operating Rooms

The owner knew he needed medical design expertise, so he hired DSGW Architects to design a 14,000 square foot expansion with training center, underground heated parking, and more preparation and procedure rooms. But the key to reaching peak performance for the Lakewalk Surgery Center was refiguring the ratio of surgery to recovery spaces. With owner input, DSGW board-certified medical architect studied patient flow which resulted in the design of two additional operating rooms—a 50% increase in surgery space—and 12 additional private rooms—a whopping 133% increase in recovery space.

Result: Peak Performance

With the expansion complete, surgeries in the redesigned facility jumped from 6000 to 9000 per year and the ratio between surgery room usage and private recovery room occupancy is now well-balanced. Wait times for the Lakewalk Surgery Center allow patients to arrive a mere 45 minutes before their scheduled procedure. And, when a patient needs additional recovery time, the extension is absorbed into the system without disruption.