Charleston Regional Development Alliance

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Clemson announces big health care design center project

Nov. 28, 2007
independentmail.com
By John Staed
Clemson University officials said Tuesday they are partnering with state health leaders to create the Center of Economic Excellence in Health Facilities Design and Testing.

The center would sponsor research on how design and engineering can affect health care and healing.

The university is a partner with the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina on the project. Spartanburg Regional Health System and Health Sciences South Carolina are contributing as major non-state, matching partners.

Clemson would gain an endowed chair that would be associated with creating designs and testing facilities. The Medical University would gain the other chair. Longer-term plans are to build labs in Spartanburg at the health system campus and at the Medical University campus in Charleston, Clemson officials said.

“As our nation’s aging hospitals are replaced, it’s crucial that we incorporate the best information that we have into the design of new health-care environments,” said David J. Allison, Clemson architecture professor and director of the project, according to a news release. “We know the built environment matters in health care. It can contribute to shorter hospital stays, improved outcomes and patient safety and better delivery of care.”

Proceeds from the South Carolina Education Lottery will provide $5 million for the center and its two chairs. Each of the two universities and Spartanburg Regional Health System have collectively pledged through Health Sciences South Carolina to commit $5 million in matching funds toward this new center, including gifts in-kind.

In an interview, Mr. Allison said the university has 18 months to raise core money for a state match for infrastructure needs.

Chris Przirembel, Clemson University vice president for research and economic development, said the center will create jobs for research scholars, assistants, technicians and support staff. The center also could benefit from design spinoffs, he said.

The center potentially could add a dozen positions at Clemson, including the chair and his staff, Mr. Allison said.

As health care has changed, more people in hospital settings are severely ill, but the original hospital model has not changed much, he said. Today, hospitals are trying to deliver better care with fewer resources, but with improved design of those facilities, it could help improve care and worker stress, he said.

Large health care systems, such as Greenville Hospital System, or even larger, such as national HMOs, could benefit from improved design ideas, Mr. Allison said. They also may be interested in financially supporting research.

He called the center’s focus “unique.”

Health Sciences South Carolina President Jay Moskowitz said as baby boomers grow older, many could benefit from the center’s successes.

“The time has come to rethink modern hospital design to accommodate our aging population, the shift from inpatient to outpatient procedures and ongoing challenges like infection control,” Mr. Moskowitz said in a statement. 		related information