The IPSA Medical Arts Building at San Antonio Community Hospital is designed to support two expansion phases that would nearly triple its patient flow capacity. In 41,421 SF, Phase one provides executive offices and administrative space for the IPSA MSO, offices for a 128-physician IPA, a pharmacy, stat x-ray, and clinical lab supporting four 4-physician practice modules, an express care module with two infectious isolation rooms, operated on extended hours, and a clinical module for visiting specialists that provides three suites for minor surgery and endoscopy.
Initial neighborhood opposition to the project was overcome by courteous response in public hearings and sensitive adjustment of the design. The building is held back from the property line, and sited as close to the hospital as possible. The terraced massing at the entry also helps reduce the bulk of the building facing toward adjacent residential neighborhood. The porte cochere at the entry provides covered access for patients, and also helps step the building down to residential scale.
The exterior color scheme of the IPSA Medical Arts Building was chosen to harmonize with and subtly update the existing hospital campus. Anticipating the second and third phase expansions, glazing was omitted from exam rooms at the first and second floor levels which would shortly become interior spaces. All parking for physically disabled patients is directly contiguous with the building so wheelchairs and walkers need never cross a traffic lane. A porte-cochere permits covered passenger loading and unloading in inclement weather.
A double-height lobby lends an atmosphere of calm and dignity --- and helps patients at the second floor elevator lobby retain a sense of orientation in the corridor system. Patients are greeted and directed by "concierge" staff in the lobby, who can also help arrange for transportation, call relatives, and assist patients in locating support services. Registration functions are handled separately from reception.
Separation of functions provides efficient use of staff in the registration process. Patients with billing concerns are directed to financial counsellors. Arriving patients are greeted and directed to their appointments without delay. New patients are registered at the counter, with screen panels to provide privacy.
At peak patient flows, over 240 persons an hour move through the facility, even in phase 1. The figure will triple when expansion is completed. However, waiting areas are de-centralized so that the patient experiences the human-scale setting of a much smaller, more personal practice, and so that staff and patient travel distances are minimized.
System furniture is arranged to provide a simple yet comfortable waiting area in the executive offices.
Carpet accents help define the seating area at MSO reception.
