The Center’s success story, detailed in a recent university news release, highlights how a cooperative vision shared among patients, caregivers, providers, researchers, and the design and construction teams resulted in a state-of-the-art facility tailored for integrated care and research. The facility, which transformed a former shuttered hospital, is nearing completion on its research and integrative health spaces on the fourth and fifth floors.
Design Directly Impacts Survival Rates
The most tangible result of this collaboration is a survival rate for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is 33% higher than the national average at the UC Blood Cancer Healing Center.
“Patients, caregivers, providers, researchers and integrative health professionals are spending so much more time together,” said Dr. Megan Johnstone, Clinical Research Director in the Blood Cancer Healing Center. “We are making decisions in real-time that affect our patients right now.” This close proximity and constant communication, built into the very design of the center, is credited with the marked improvement in patient care and survival.
Overcoming Unique Challenges
The project required precise coordination and technical execution to convert the former Shriners Hospital. According to project executives, this included substantial upgrades to legacy mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, meeting strict I-2 occupancy requirements for hospitals, and implementing advanced infection control protocols essential for blood cancer patients.
Priya Dhuru, principal at Champlin | EOP Architects, noted, “This shuttered hospital presented some unique opportunities and challenges for its transformation into a state-of-the-art blood cancer center.” The construction and design teams are now sharing their experiences as an innovative model for prioritizing patient care and research throughout the building process.
In addition to the remarkable AML survival rate, the facility reports a 95% satisfaction rate for outpatient care, further solidifying its reputation as a national benchmark for excellence in comprehensive blood cancer treatment.