South Shore Hospital - MRI Suite Renovation

Offering the Latest Healthcare Technologies in a Welcoming Setting

With a vision to modernize and expand in place to accommodate for projected growth, HGA worked with South Shore Hospital (SSH) to provide a new, state-of-the-art MRI suite and staff respite spaces. By incorporating biophilic elements and calming tones in furnishing and finishes, the new MRI suite evokes warmth, helping patients feel at ease. Through the revision of staff spaces, the design allows for greater efficiency and fosters staff wellbeing.

With the intent to replace aging equipment and enhance its growing MRI program, SSH engaged HGA to provide a design solution that would allow them to maintain full functionality throughout construction and meet volume projections for the next decade. In addition to the need to stay operational, SSH set a high standard for patient experience. They required a design that would support and enhance the environment not only for patients and families, but also the staff. This included providing a warm, welcoming patient setting that eases stress, fears, and anxiety, as well as an environment for staff that increases safety and efficiency, and supports the need for respite and rejuvenation.

Using Lean practices like Value Stream Mapping, HGA worked closely with SSH to develop an understanding of Current, Ideal and Future State for both patients and staff. SSH is highly regarded for their patient experience and our goal was to match quality of design with the quality of care provided by SSH.

HGA took the time to listen to their objectives and principles through several interactive pre-design and goal-setting workshops. Through the use of 3D virtual reality, we were able to take them on a “tour” of their new spaces early in the process. Highlighting patient and staff flow, as well as safety features like sightlines and clearances, we were able to gain valuable feedback and quick approval even as we worked remotely.

When the Covid-19 pandemic began, design for this project was already underway. We paused during this time to fully understand the effect this should have on the design of new space. As a result, we made several changes to the waiting room design, including adding more glass along the reception area and spacing out reception seating, as well as reviewing the layout of workstations for staff. In the original MRI suite, the staff workspaces were cramped with no access to natural light. HGA presented a design option that provides natural light for all workspaces – even the control room.