Campus renewal for future growth with evidence-based, sustainable design

SSM Health
Monroe Clinic

Monroe, Wisconsin

To address a growing community and aging facility, Monroe Clinic needed to plan for the future with an immediate solution. Partnering with Kahler Slater, the team sought to accomplish three goals: accommodate growth; attract and retain top caregivers; and continuously improve the patient experience. This vision drove the design of a major campus expansion to replace their inpatient, diagnostic and support services.

The four-story expansion connects to the existing facility and includes 57 acute and critical care beds; new and expanded emergency, lab, imaging and surgical services; a cardiac clinic and rehabilitation services. Lean process improvement studies and evidence-based design principles, such as same-handed patient bedroom design, laid the foundation for creating a safe, efficient and healing environment. Evidence-based studies revealed that charting areas planned for mirrored observation into two rooms at one time increase staff confidence in their ability to see multiple patients at a glance and provide the safest patient environment. To demonstrate the hospital and community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the expansion achieved a LEED Silver level of certification. Healing gardens provide the most visible testament to the hospital’s sustainable pledge, including an entry-level garden that assists in wayfinding, a rooftop meditation area garden, and an outdoor dining terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding community. The overall design intention is to create a facility that will allow Monroe Clinic to expand into the future and gradually eliminate their oldest buildings on campus.

Powerful Results

“We are thrilled with our new hospital. We have had so many positive comments from the community.”

Mike Sanders, President & CEO, Monroe Clinic

“Our Joint Commission survey concludes today, and the Life Safety Survey concluded yesterday. The surveyors shared many excellent findings and comments regarding our new hospital. Architectural finishes and details, construction quality, efficient flow (mentioned in many places, most notably ED and Observation rooms), open spaces, natural light, live roofs, and the list goes on. They were very impressed. Overall an excellent survey. Many thanks to Kahler Slater for everything that helped us deliver this result!”

Steve Borowski, Director of Facilities, Monroe Clinic