ft3 led the redevelopment and expansion of St. Boniface Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) by outlining and implementing a four-step master plan for realizing the new, state-of-the-art facility.

The first step in this approach analyzed the existing ED’s operations and facilities and current patient data against Huddy HealthCare Solutions’ evidence-based ED Benchmarking Tool (a rating system that evaluates emergency environments on 250 criteria across 12 categories). This step also informed the functional programming and planning of the new ED by exploring LEAN Design principles with hospital staff to establish a documented future workflow. 

Step two reviewed the site opportunities and constraints and existing building and operational systems, while step three implemented the phasing of the master plan, underscored by the hospital's mission, strategic plan, operational targets, and fiscal responsibility.

The final step of the master plan commenced Phase One of the ED’s redesign by redeveloping the Ambulatory Care Clinic to expand its capacity and ensure the hospital could continue providing emergency services 24/7. It also allowed upgrades to the existing ED to modernize healthcare design standards, such as CSA Z8000-11 and Infection Control and Prevention.

The new ED’s design concept further leverages LEAN Design principles to improve patient experiences and outcomes, safety assurances and management, and staff operations and efficiencies.