Client

University of Alabama Health Services Foundation

Location

Birmingham, AL

Expertise

Healthcare

Services

Architecture, Interior Design

One of the busiest outpatient centers in the United States, The Kirklin Clinic (TKC) of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is renowned for providing advanced, patient-centered healthcare services. Gresham Smith partnered with UAB Health System to design a new Infusion Therapy Clinic as part of TKC’s first expansion in almost 20 years, which consolidates UAB’s Infusion Therapy services into one convenient location and merges pharmacy and laboratory services with treatment space. Designed for future growth and expansion, the new 23,500-square-foot space offers patients chemotherapy, immunotherapies, and central line care, improving the efficiency of treatment visits while creating an optimal healing environment for patients and their families.

23,500
square feet
84
infusion stations
5
floors
waiting room with seating

A Waiting Space of Their Own

To protect patient privacy and dignity, Infusion Therapy patients have their own waiting room. The designated waiting area exits directly to the elevator lobby so patients who may be weak or fatigued following an infusion treatment don’t have to walk through other clinic spaces to exit the building. As Infusion Therapy patients are often immunocompromised, isolating the infusion area provides an additional level of care.

hall lined with infusion bays

Prioritizing Patient Privacy

Designed with privacy and comfort in mind, the new Infusion Therapy clinic at TKC houses a variety of 84 infusion stations. Fully glassed private patient stations offer extra protection and privacy for patients with immune deficiencies, while semi-private and open bays provide a little more connectivity between patients. As Infusion Therapy often takes several hours to complete, each patient station features visitor amenities, enabling family members to be present during infusion treatments.

cherry blossom artwork in treatment area

An Enhanced Treatment Experience

Every design decision—from the layout to the finishes—was made with the patient experience in mind. The light, textural finish palette, accentuated with warm wood tones, creates a calming environment, while large windows offer an abundance of natural light and provide views of the downtown Birmingham skyline.

Every two patient stations are divided by casework that keeps medical equipment out of sight to help lower patient stress levels and infusion chairs feature the latest technology, allowing patients to control the lighting in their station so they can read, sleep or meditate. The chairs are also equipped with outlets for chargers as well as heating and reclining capabilities, giving patients a true feeling of independence and control.

reception area desks

Enhancing Operations

Nurse station pods are configured throughout the 84-chair clinic to be central to each of private, semi-private and open bay patient stations. This provides nurses with a clear line of sight and close proximity to their patients, while at the same time offering them privacy. To enhance wayfinding, we added color to the nurse stations to help patients get their bearings within the space. The addition of pharmacy services and laboratories to the treatment floor also improves operational efficiencies and streamlines the patient experience.