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Words of Advice

Words of Advice

This section shares lessons learned and tips from primary care clinics and community health centers who have been through new construction, renovation or have made changes to an existing clinic environment. You can browse the words or advice, or sort them by different process points. 

 
"The timeline of activities did not account accurately for city requirements and the time it takes for resolutions and permits." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center
"Change orders are difficult, so ensure a good working relationship is established with architects and contractors." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center
"Make certain the architect is aware of all city requirements." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center
"Solicit staff for their thoughts the design of the project." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center
"Nothing happens as quickly as you anticipate. You can’t put anything in for contingency." - Kevin Mattson, San Ysidro Health Center
"Review all agreements with an attorney and consider a clause that the owner must approve all subcontractors." - Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health
"Know who is around your clinic site physically—who your neighbors are." -Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center
Add a penalty in the design contract for lead architect leaving mid-design." -Zara Marselien, La Maestra Community Health Center
"Ensure staff participate in work-flow programming." -Stuart Stoller, SGP Architects
"Clinics should appoint a 'decision-maker' from each department to avoid conflicts in staff desires for the space." -Stuart Stoller, SGP Architects

 

Browse Words of Advice from those in the field, or you can sort them by the phases of the design process, or the patient experience.

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Promising Practices in Safety-Net Clinic Design: An Overview 

Keller, A., Joseph, A., Taylor, E., Quan, X. 2011. Promising Practices in Safety-Net Clinic Design: An Overview. Concord, CA: Prepared for the California HealthCare Foundation by The Center for Health Design.

Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Cultural Sensitivity

Joseph, A., Keller, A, Taylor, E. Quan, X. 2011. Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Cultural Sensitivity. Concord, CA: Prepared for the California HealthCare Foundation by The Center for Health Design.

Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Flexibility 

Taylor, E., Joseph, A., Keller, A., Quan, X. 2011. Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Flexibility. Concord, CA: Prepared for the California HealthCare Foundation by The Center for Health Design.

Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Innovative Care Delivery Models 

Quan, X. Joseph, A., Keller, A., Taylor, E. 2011. Designing Safety-Net Clinics for Innovative Care Delivery Models. Concord, CA: Prepared for the California HealthCare Foundation by The Center for Health Design.

Improving the Patient Experience: Best Practices for Safety-Net Clinic Redesign

Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi, Anjali Joseph and Amy Keller, explore the physical features of ambulatory care center settings that have been associated with favorable patient outcomes.

 

Adapted by the authors of, "Exploring the Impact of the Physical Environment on Patient Outcomes in Ambulatory Care Settings." that was originally published in the Winter 2009 issue of HERD Journal, Vol. 2, No. 2. 

 

Get more information about HERD.

 
 

 
 
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