BELLVUE, WA.— Patients are the inspiration behind the design of the Group Health Bellevue Medical Center, opening July 1, 2008. The four-story, 190,000 square-foot medical center will be home to the largest multi-specialty practice in East King County with 125 physicians representing more than 25 medical specialties.
The more than 1,100 patients expected to walk through the doors each day will find all the care they need in one place with primary care, more than 25 specialty services, a pharmacy, lab, medical imaging, outpatient surgery and a 24-hour urgent care center.
“The Group Health Medical Center represents a commitment to meeting the health care needs of East King County now and in the future,” said Group Health President and CEO Scott Armstrong. “The state-of-the-art design provides a healing environment, comfort, safety and privacy for patients and their families.”
Ellerbe Becket, one the world’s leading health care architects, who designed the Mayo Clinic, helped create a medical center like no other with open areas and abundant sunlight; which has been found to lower stress, create calmness and contribute to better health outcomes.
To nurture physician-patient relationships, larger exam rooms feature a curtained changing area, a couch for patients or family and special lighting for exams or consultations. Each room provides access to computers and Group Health’s clinical information system so patients and doctors can review medical records together, helping patients make a better-informed decision about becoming active partners with their care providers.
An “on-stage”, “off-stage” design throughout the medical center keeps public areas calming, comfortable and focused on patient needs. In the off-stage zones there are separate staff entrances, elevators, corridors and workspaces to promote collaboration among physicians and staff.
Looking forward and anticipating growth, Group Health took a long-term flexible approach to design that accommodates changes in care and technology. Patient rooms, for example, are universal and can be reconfigured. This allows Group Health the ability to adopt new equipment and service lines without having to remodel the facility for years to come.
Group Health physicians, surgeons, and midwifes will provide inpatient care at Overlake Hospital Medical Center, adjacent to the Bellevue Medical Center. Staff, patients and family will use a link that connects the two facilities.
And for more info see the article in The Seattle Times, “Group Health to open state-of-the-art facility in Bellevue.”
Group Health Cooperative
Marking its 61st year, Group Health Cooperative is an innovative, consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that integrates care and coverage. Along with its subsidiary carriers, Group Health Options, Inc. and KPS Health Plans, Group Health works to improve the health of more than 586,000 members in Washington and Idaho.
More than 9,000 staff employed by Group Health and Group Health Permanente, its contracted, multispecialty group practice, provide patient-centered, evidence-based care to members and the broader community through medical and specialty centers, hospitals, a charitable foundation, and a nationally recognized research center.
Ellerbe Becket
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in architecture, engineering, interiors and the construction industry, with office locations worldwide.
Contact: news@ellerbebecket.com
Katie McCarthy, 1-206-448-2149
