The project: Tower II addition including 433,000-sf, nine stories, and 175 beds and will house 9 ORs, imaging, interventional radiology (IR), a clinical lab, the women’s pavilion, and NICU services. The scope of work includes a connecting bridge between tower I and tower II.

The approach: Initially, there were requests to duplicate the existing tower in regards to medical equipment. IMEG completed on-site job walks to determine what was working well for the frontline staff and what were the areas for improvement. The team found there were many instances where changes were made post move-in to better accommodate operational workflow. IMEG worked to ensure the new bed-tower had these efficiencies in place as part of the design standards.

Additionally, IMEG was responsible for developing equipment standards that could be implemented system-wide for future projects. Working with Scripps’ Facilities Design & Construction department along with Biomedical Engineering and input from key stakeholders, IMEG was able to develop templates (both equipment list and typical placement drawings) for major clinical areas. This effort included coordination with the architect and engineers to ensure medical equipment documents were fully aligned and in accordance with HCAI and other regulatory guidelines.

Challenges: Changes in hospital leadership, the onset of Covid-19 and the supply chain issues that resulted. Solutions: IMEG worked through challenges by re-engaging project teams, working closely with the clinicians, architects, engineers, and vendors to mitigate risk and reduce budgets wherever possible while still providing spaces and equipment that were flexible enough to accommodate a sudden surge in capacity.

The outcome: The project provided medical equipment standards for Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla’s bed tower II addition as well as the greater Scripps system.