GREENSBORO, GA

ST MARY’S GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

ENTRANCE PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

INTRODUCTION

The St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, part of St.

Mary’s Health Care System, is a Regional Health Ministry

in Catholic Health East Trinity Health. As a not-for-profit

healthcare system, St. Mary’s Health Care System is

committed not only to their patients, but also to the

communities they serve.

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY HEALTHCARE

St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital has a rich history

serving Greensboro, GA and the Greater Greene County

areas. Originally founded in 1949 as the Minnie G. Boswell

Memorial Hospital, it was the Nation’s first Hill-Burton

hospital. After a series of acquisitions over the past decade,

the facility eventually became part of St. Mary’s Health Care

System and the name was changed to St. Mary’s Good

Samaritan Hospital. Despite a few modifications to the

original facility, it has changed little over the course of its

64-year existence; however, the delivery of healthcare has

drastically changed in that time period. In 2012, St. Mary’s

Health Care System acquired a Certificate of Need and

began the process of planning a new hospital in order to

better serve the community.

The new hospital is intended to improve access to

services for the community and also improve the patient

experience. It is designed and structured to provide an

efficient layout that is “right-sized” for the community,

while at the same time, allowing flexibility for future growth

and expansion. The design is grounded on extensive

research establishing that elements such as natural lighting,

access to nature, and accommodations for emerging

technologies improve both patient and staff satisfaction.

WHY THE EA TEAM

Following a competitive request for proposals and

interview process, Earl Architects was selected to design

the new facility for several reasons:

• Our use of evidence-based design. Our Best Practice

Matrix focuses on many factors affecting facility

performance, patient satisfaction, sustainability, safety and

efficiency.

• Our proven track record. We have a solid reputation for

completing the planning and design process on time and

within budget.

• Our focus on optimization of facility performance. Our

recent projects have reduced annual operating expenses,

helping these facilities hold down costs and expand

services.

• Our excellence in comparable projects. In Coffee County,

for example, we were part of a design/build team that

delivered a new replacement hospital four months ahead of

schedule and with savings of $2 million.

DESIGN INTENT

IDENTIFYING THE NEEDS

The Earl Architects team began the design process by

integrating concepts of the Daylight Hospital, the Planetree

Hospital and the Lego Hospital into a single facility that

focuses on:

• Daylight and Health: to improve health outcomes,

provide positive experiences for patients, staff and visitors,

improve productivity and safety.

• Planetree and Health: to promote dignity and choice,

provide personalized care, involve the family in the healing

process, focus on non-institutional design and patient-

centered care, and the integration of art and meaningful

activities.

• Facility Growth and Health: to provide a clear plan for the

future, anticipate change and accommodate growth with

minor disruption, improve facility longevity, reduce life-

cycle costs, and increase patient safety.

THE SITE AND CONCEPTS

The 24-acre site for the new replacement hospital was

selected because of its strategic location near current

and future development in the community, and its

convenient access to State Route 44 and the Interstate.

The nearby Reynolds Plantation, the presence of Lake

Oconee, and the community’s desire to be an oasis of

relaxation, recreation and rejuvenation have influenced the

architectural concepts. Furthermore, the natural beauty

of the verdant hills that surround the site provide unique

views to nature and opportunities to access the outdoors.

During Design Development, the EA team developed four

separate concepts, each embodying a unique architectural

language, inspired by these natural qualities. All of these

characteristics were inspiration for the concept of a

“Modern Lodge.”

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

OPTION 3

OPTION 4

Lobby

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Administration

Emergency Department

Radiology

Lab

Facility Support

Food Service

Inpatient Care

Pharmacy

Surgery Department

Chapel

THE MODERN LODGE:

The Modern Lodge concept is exemplified best in the

design of the Lobby and Main Entrance to the hospital.

The use of wood, stone and metal are indicative of other

lodge facilities in the area. The decorative glass and

artwork are intended to evoke the Georgia pines and the

unique natural characteristics of the surrounding area.

The large windows and facility orientation are intended

to maximize natural light and views to nature, for which a

large portion of the site was left undisturbed in order to

support this objective.

The facility is intended to operate as a hospital and as a

community center, thus supporting the healthcare needs of

the sick and the well, of the individual and of the public at

large. The growing importance of health maintenance and

preventative medicine are supported by the inviting and

non-institutional atmosphere of the facility. Greensboro is

a relatively small town, therefore, various public spaces are

provided to encourage use of the facility in other ways, not

just by healthcare providers.

The hospital is divided into zones, to support clear way-

finding and to separate the public circulation paths from

staff, stretcher and service circulation. This front of house

/ back of house distribution of service and access further

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aids in the efficiency and deinstitutionalization of the

facility. Patient rooms have been located to maximize their

views of the surrounding woodlands, and the structure

has been put in place to provide an additional bed

unit if future growth demands expansion of the facility.

Additional considerations were also made for future

expansion capability in Radiology, Imaging, Surgery and

the Emergency Department.

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Lobby

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Administration

Emergency Department

Radiology

Lab

Facility Support

Food Service

Inpatient Care

Pharmacy

Surgery Department

Chapel LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

1

2

34

56

7

8

910

11

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ABOVE/RIGHT: Groundbreaking ceremony held August 16, 2012

TOOLS WE USED

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

Despite a tight budget, Earl Architects worked with the

entire project development team to create architecture that

programmatically fit the needs of the facility’s users and the

community, without compromising design or functionality.

It is always our intent to achieve great design in a cost-

effective way.

The project development team was able to meet the

accelerated schedule dictated by the owner through the

use of Revit and other Building-Information-Modeling

software. By carefully managing the design process,

construction documents were completed within a

remarkable 4-month time period. By carefully managing

the construction process, the building was completed on

time and on budget. It is our goal to work closely and

cooperatively with the entire project team, because our

success is dependent on their success.

EARL ARCHITECTS’ BEST PRACTICE MATRIX

For planning the programmatic needs of the new

hospital, the team collaborated with the medical staff

and hospital administration to fully understand and

encompass the needs of the patients, family, visitors and

staff. Earl Architects also utilized an in-house tool called

the Healthcare Best Practice Matrix (BPM) that focuses

on 241 concepts related to utilization of operational

efficiencies, lean and sustainable factors that impact facility

performance and the project’s success. The BPM has been

designed to simplify and prioritize many of today’s leading

industry benchmarks of good design. By utilizing the matrix

throughout the programming, planning and design stages,

EA can easily identify and cross-reference these priorities

for a comprehensive design strategy that leads toward a

successful outcome.

LEVEL 1

MAIN LOBBY

The Lobby is intended for both hospital use and

community functions. The use of natural materials, such

as wood and stone, reflects the familiar characteristics of

the surrounding community. Specialty slab benches made

of natural walnut provide a place for pause, reflection and

respite at the Main Entrance, Chapel and at the Emergency

Room. The outdoor fountain at the hospital’s Main

Entrance is intended to support intuitive way-finding and

provide a positive distraction.

A Heritage Wall has been incorporated to reflect the

history and legacy of the Good Samaritan Hospital and

the impact it has had on the local community. Designated

areas have also been provided for religious artwork and

donor recognition.

Private, handicapped accessible, registration rooms are

provided for discrete patient exchange. Registration

stations are connected with those in the Emergency

Room to streamline communications and improve patient

experience, through-put and staff efficiency.

Front-of-house and back-of-house circulation has been

incorporated into the project. Staff, supplies and patient

transport can occur out of the Public Way, and there is also

a separation of the public elevators from the elevator for

staff, supplies and stretcher transport.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

SERVERY AND DINING

The new Café boasts a modern-concept kitchen and a

spacious dining area that encourages patients, visitors

and staff to customize their dining experience. Both the

dining facilities and servery are intended for hospital and

community use. Banquette seating has been designed

with decorative glass intended to reflect the surrounding

woodlands. The dining room and outdoor terrace

provide seating with natural light and views to the natural

surroundings.

PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

All private treatment rooms are provided in the Emergency

Department, including: two rooms for major emergencies,

an Isolation Exam Room and a Secure Room for psych

patients. Triage is provided for initial evaluation and

throughput and a Fast-Track Area is provided for quick

turn-around of minor cases, in order to reduce wait times

and keep the main Emergency Department available

for more complex conditions. From the treatment areas,

direct access is provided to Radiology and the 64-Slice

CT Scanner. The department boasts first-class patient

monitoring for emergency care, contributing to a higher

quality of nursing care.

Separate entrances are provided for Ambulance and Walk-

In patients, in order to provide optimal patient care and

an ideal patient experience. Registration in the Emergency

Room is connected to the Lobby Registration stations in

order to streamline communications and improve patient

experience, staff efficiency and through-put.

An outdoor terrace is accessible from the Waiting Room

to provide family and visitors with a place to decompress

and find respite. The Helipad is located adjacent to the

Ambulance Entrance for immediate patient transfers.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

RADIOLOGY & SUPPORT SERVICES

The Diagnostic Imaging Area has state-of-the-art equipment including:

a 64-slice computed tomography (CT) machine; digital radiography

and fluoroscopy (R&F) machine; digital radiography machine (R/T). The

facility supports outpatient cardiac diagnostics, including plans for a

nuclear medicine lab, leading to an increased local cardiology presence.

Adjacent access to the Emergency Department is provided to improve

patient care and diagnostics. Adjacent access is also provided to an

outdoor mobile imaging platform for MRIs.

A separate Imaging Area has been dedicated to Women’s Health

for private, discrete patient care with services including: digital

mammography, diagnostic ultrasound and bone densitometry. A private

Waiting Room has been designated for Women’s Imaging with views to

nature, specially designed inspirational art work and decorative glass.

Expanded facilities are intended to improve patient care and staff

support for comprehensive laboratory services, including: industrial

drug screening, hair specimen screens, basic and complete metabolic

profiles, chemistry, hematology, coagulation, blood banks, cardiac

profiles, HIV testing and microbiology. Separate areas are provided

for specimen collection and hospital deliveries in order to improve the

patient experience and staff efficiency. A Pneumatic Tube system has

been integrated for materials transport, with stations at key departments

throughout the facility, in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

LEVEL 2

MEZZANINE AND LOBBY

The design of the Lobby purposefully uses the region’s

natural materials to reinforce the Modern Lodge Concept.

The Mezzanine design supports the non-institutional

character of the facility by creating areas for positive

distractions, views to nature and intuitive way-finding.

Access is provided from the Mezzanine to the Surgery

Center, the Inpatient Bed Unit and the Chapel.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

THE CHAPEL

The Chapel is located near Inpatient Care and the

Surgery Center for convenient access by patients, family,

caregivers and staff. The Chapel doors have been

designed, fabricated and donated to the hospital by Earl

Architects to reflect EA’s commitment to philanthropy in

the communities and hospitals we serve. The hospital

has commissioned a local monk, Father Methodius of

the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, to design and fabricate

stained glass artwork that will become the focal point of

the Chapel and include the 14 Stations of the Cross.

PHOTOGRAPHER ABOVE/RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

SURGERY CENTER

The facility includes six Prep & Recovery Rooms and six

PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) recovery positions,

including one Isolation room. The Prep & Recovery

Rooms are all private in order to reduce the risk of HAIs

(hospital acquired infections), and improve patient

privacy and satisfaction; furthermore, surgery prep

and phase II recovery are intended to occur in the

same room to optimize space efficiency and provide a

consistent experience for the patients. Large windows

are provided for access to natural light and views to

nature in order to provide positive distractions. The

Nurse Work Areas and support services are co-located

for the Prep & Recovery Area and the PACU to maximize

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

access in minimal space, promote staff interaction to

reduce errors, improve staffing efficiency and optimize

patient visibility.

The facility includes three fully-outfitted surgical suites.

Advanced modern technologies are provided to attract

the finest surgeons in varying specialties and provide

optimal patient care. The facility includes a Minor

Procedure Room and an Endoscopy Procedure Room

with adjacent instrument processing and storage. The

expanded facilities are intended to improve patient care

and staff support for the following services: general

surgery, colonoscopy, endoscopy, orthopedic surgery,

eye surgery, podiatry, ENT, female surgical services,

urological procedures, plastic surgery, and pain blocks.

The Surgery Center Waiting Room overlooks the Lobby

and also has large windows with views to nature, all to

provide positive distractions and natural light for family

and visitors. Pre-Admission Testing is provided in space

adjacent to the Waiting Room to improve the patient

experience: all services come to the patient, rather than

forcing the patient to find the services throughout the

facility.

INPATIENT CARE

The facility has 25 all-private patient rooms, with many unique

characteristics. Eight patient rooms are handicapped accessible,

increasing the required capacity for ADA compliance, but also

improving care for patients with limited mobility. Four patient rooms

support higher-acuity patients, three of which include patient lifts;

these are located directly across from the Nurse Station. Two patient

rooms provide isolation to improve infection control and reduce

the transmittance of airborne infections. One patient room is larger

to support needs of bariatric patients and includes a patient lift for

patient and staff support and safety.

Within the rooms, large windows allow for access to natural light

and views to nature for positive distractions and to promote healing.

There are separate zones for staff, patient and family use to improve

efficiency and safety. Advanced telemetric patient monitoring and

enhanced IV systems contribute to a higher quality of nursing care

and best-in-class beds support optimum patient care and comfort.

Medical equipment items are integrated into the millwork in order

to provide a functional, organized and aesthetically pleasing

headwall and footwall for optimal patient care.

On the Unit, a Meditation Area is provided at the end of the North

Corridor to provide a place of respite, overlooking the adjacent

woodlands. An Administrative Suite is provided for greater access

by nursing administrative staff to their department. Furthermore,

in order to support the future needs of the facility, it has been

structured for future expansion of an additional 25 beds.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

OPTIMIZED PATIENT CARE

A Centralized Nurse Work Area is provided on the Inpatient Bed Unit to support the

needs of the patients in the facility. The character of this area is intended to carry out

the Modern Lodge concept, by incorporating natural materials and artwork; however,

it is also intended to provide the optimal work environment for the facility’s staff.

With good observation capability to the entire unit and adjacent support services, it

operates as the central point of control to monitor patients and visitors entering the

Unit.

POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS

Many characteristics of the Modern Lodge concept are

intended to provide positive distractions and promote a

non-institutional character. The use of wood and stone

are intended to reflect the natural surroundings. Special

Respite Areas are located throughout the facility in order

to provide views to the adjacent woodlands. For example,

the Meditation Area provided on the Inpatient Bed Unit is

intended to provide a place of respite for patients, family

and staff. The Specialty slab benches located at the Main

Entrance, Chapel and at the Emergency Room, made

of natural walnut, offer a place for pause, reflection and

respite.

PHOTOGRAPHER LEFT/ABOVE: Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

GRAND OPENING

NOVEMBER 25, 2013

The Grand Opening to the new St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital included a Blessing Ceremony, attended

by more than 300 invited guests, where the Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archbishop of the Diocese of

Atlanta blessed the new hospital and a Community Open House that welcomed over 1,000 visitors.

ENTRANCE PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Wang @ Scott Wang Photography Inc.

Earl Architects

301 N Main St. 17th Floor Greenville, SC 29601

www.earlarchitects.com