Oakbend Medical Center Provides More Accessible Healthcare
Oakbend Medical Center opened the doors to its new community hospital in October 19, 2009. Designed with area residents, care staff and patients in mind, the new hospital is playing a key role in advancing the quality of healthcare for all those who call Fort Bend County home.
Designed by HDR Architecture, Inc., the 91-bed facility in Richmond, TX, responds to the community’s growing population and its desire for more accessible healthcare. It includes inpatient and outpatient imaging and laboratory services as well as surgical facilities, emergency department, intensive care unit, and a floor devoted to women’s health services. The hospital design also accommodates an expansion of three additional floors – eventually increasing capacity to more than 200 beds.
As the city of Richmond’s charm is well-known throughout the region, it was important for the hospital design to compliment the community and not appear overstated. The design team achieved this by creating a traditionally designed hospital filled with regional Texas colors, home-inspired accents and inviting spaces for patients, staff and family to enjoy.
The most awe-inspiring design feature in the new facility is the expansive light-filled atrium. This three-story voluminous space allows visitors to access all floors and mirrors that of a larger medical facility. At night, the atrium glows from within making the hospital a landmark off the main highway and allowing passersby the opportunity to peer inside.
As the new hospital was driven by budget and site constraints, it was important that the design exuded efficiency throughout. Mike Tangney, project designer at HDR, said, “The hospital satisfies the need to be flexible in its application in many different ways.”
Additional design features found throughout the hospital include:
- Extensive use of natural light in nontraditional spaces including physician lounges, operating rooms, lab, and the pharmacy to provide a clear connection to the outdoors.
- Indirect lighting down the corridors, around the elevator, and the lobby to create a warm and calming effect.
- Wood-toned sheet vinyl used in key rooms like labor and delivery, imaging rooms and CT scan rooms to exude a more home-inspired environment.
- Artistic translucent patterned glass sub dividers in waiting areas to allow families to gather in more intimate groupings.
- Wood laminate casework throughout the facility to provide warmth and richness.
- An efficient floor plan that provides excellent visualization of each patient wing from the nursing station and allows nurses to monitor the halls with minimal staff.
- Nurse-inspired design elements including light-filled staff lounges, glass walls separating public and clinical spaces, abundant site lighting to boost site security, and centrally stored medical supplies on each floor.
- Family zones in patient rooms complete with sleeper sofa in each patient room to encourage family to play an active role in the healing process.
- Family quiet zones at the end of each corridor to provide areas of relaxation.
- Expansive windows in each patient room to offer a connection to nature.
- A planned room service system to give patients more flexibility with meal times and choices.
- Artwork throughout the hospital to promote healing and create a more home-like environment.
- Custom-designed headwall in the LDR room to hide equipment behind wood-look laminate cabinet doors and create a more high-design room.
The new Oakbend Hospital was completed on time, two months ahead of schedule, and has carried out the mission set forth by the hospitals CEO. It’s bettering the quality of life for residents throughout Fort Bend County and provides a space where nurses, patients and families can truly enjoy the healthcare experience.
