In an effort to improve patient access and reduce same-day surgery cancellations, University Health System made the strategic decision to relocate its Anesthesia Pre-Operative Clinic from the Main Hospital Building to the more accessible Pavilion Building. The new 5,500-square-foot space was designed to support a more efficient, family-centered model of care, providing patients with a calm and welcoming environment prior to surgery. The relocation offered an opportunity to reimagine the space with updated exam rooms, a phlebotomy drawing room, waiting and registration areas, staff workspaces, and a new pneumatic tube system to connect directly with the new hospital tower. With a total project cost of $1.1 million, the focus remained on delivering thoughtful design solutions that improved both clinical function and patient experience.

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WestEast began by working closely with stakeholder and user groups, conducting workshops and walkthroughs to understand operational needs and develop concepts that aligned with real-world workflows. From site investigation through schematic design, cost estimation, and 3D visualization, the design was refined with regular input from the client. The team prioritized adjacencies and flexibility, ultimately delivering a plan that improved patient flow while minimizing disruptions during construction. Though the clinic’s size and budget led to construction documents being produced in AutoCAD, sustainable design principles guided material and finish selections throughout. The project was phased under two contractors—one for demolition and the other for renovation—with construction management handled by University Health System’s in-house team.

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The clinic was completed with a cohesive, phased strategy that allowed essentialoperations to continue. The result is a light-filled, efficient, and welcomingspace that supports pre-operative preparation with enhanced comfort andfunctionality. The inclusion of the pneumatic tube system provided a criticaloperational link to the main hospital, while carefully selected finishes and acalming color palette contributed to the overall quality of the careenvironment. Though WestEast did not provide construction administration, thedesign’s clarity and stakeholder alignment ensured a smooth transition intothis improved clinical setting.