Molecular Pathology Laboratory Case Study

Case Study: Molecular Pathology Laboratory A Deeper Look The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s (OSUWMC) Molecular Pathology Department is experiencing a lot of growth.

Because of this, they are facing facility, operational and staffing challenges. With a staff of over 75 people and growing, they are expecting to triple in size. In order to accommodate this growth, updates and consolidations were required in several laboratory, office and support spaces, along with a larger cafeteria space. OSUWMC requested the services of Array Architects to assist with helping them accommodate the growth, improve process flows and allow for updated infrastructure and capacity needs.

Streamlining Workflows Molecular Pathology Laboratory Renovations

CLIENT PROFILE

CHALLENGE

medical center located in Columbus and is on the main campus of The Ohio State University. More

The existing facility is located remotely from the main campus in a 1980s building that houses several OSU tenants. The facility, as is, didn’t meet the current staffing that is projected to triple in size and testing throughput needs. In addition, existing circulation separations divided the department and several infrastructure issues needed to be addressed.

SOLUTION Array was able to create a more streamlined workflow by combining and reorganizing spaces for more efficient layouts. This also included the addition of new modular laboratory casework and table systems that provide flexibility. With this better allocation and implementation of space, it will improve workflows and create efficiencies.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC) is a multidisciplinary academic than 50,000 inpatients receive medical care annually from OSUWMC, who manages more than one million patient visits each year.

The Molecular Pathology Department provides clinical molecular diagnostics for a wide range of cancers and other heritable disorders. They provide cutting edge, clinically responsible and costeffective diagnostics for the patients of Ohio and beyond.

Molecular Pathology is a medical specialty that seeks to integrate microscopic findings with the genetic changes associated with diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions. In cancer patients, this work includes more precise diagnostic classification, improved early detection of the cancers and provides help in selecting therapies. At this facility, they test cancer assays and support clinical trials with advanced DNA sequencing methods.

The ongoing challenge of Molecular Pathology is to speed the practical application of genomics knowledge emerging from research labs and national initiatives to clinical decision-making in each patient. This involves computer-assisted analysis of sequence data and new methods to display results of genetic tests in the medical record.

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FIGURE 1: First floor all phases

SELECTIVE DEMOLITION AND PHASING Due to the 24 / 7 nature of clinical laboratory testing for increased patient satisfaction and more accurate outcomes, the logistics of a renovation project within an existing (and outdated building) can be complex. Add to that the selective nature of the overall scope while continuing to keep several departments operational. There are also other departments that occupy this facility, so keeping the required means of egress intact while also maintaining access and operations for their areas was also a concern.

On these types of projects, more care is taken to account for all the existing

Ultimately, these renovated spaces

conditions to accurately reflect the selective demolition and renovation. As a

need to remain operational. Therefore,

result, phasing became a very important part of this project. This included several

the coordination from investigation

temporary partitions and dust barriers, protecting diffusers and grills while

of the existing conditions all the way

still maintaining negative air pressures and carefully coordinated shut downs, including addition of new breakers in electrical panels and removal of electrical

through execution is crucial and

items that share live circuits.

takes a collaborative team to execute.

Three separate phases of work (figure 1) were needed so operations at OSUMC could continue without interruption.

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LAB SPACES ON FIRST FLOOR With public corridors causing divisions between the main

recalibrate the instrumentation.

Molecular Pathology Lab functions (Accessioning, Pre-PCR,

To further reduce movement, improvement of the flow between

RNA, Post-PCR and FISH), OSUWMC wanted to consolidate

the wet and dry lab spaces was achieved by adding a door

and integrate all departments into an overall more efficient

from the FISH Prep to the FISH screening area. This allowed

Molecular Pathology department (figure 2).

staff to move between the two lab spaces while still ensuring

The goal for the first floor lab spaces was to streamline the connection for the flow of PCR work. This was achieved by

temperature and humidity control between each space remained independent.

creating openings from one space to the next. There were

Overall, these renovations increased efficiency and maximized

many factors to consider, including sensitive instrumentation in

throughput of the department.

operation, ongoing cancer testing, paths of egress and security.

After Array carefully surveyed the spaces, it was determined that an intermediate corridor could be removed so that four labs could be combined into one large open space. This allowed

SUPPORT SPACES In addition to laboratory space renovations, this project also included enabling projects involving renovations of:

•

The main staff cafeteria to accommodate lab staff, so they have a dedicated place for food and drink consumption (figure 3).

Post-PCR lab, several walls were removed to again open up the

•

A freezer consolidation study for more electrical capacity.

space and allow for more growth. These areas were especially

•

Relocations which added future capacities, including new workstations for over 60 staff members.

•

Refresh of finishes in several areas and locker areas.

for not only current growth needs and better collaboration, but also for future flexibility. The next steps in the PCR process flow were also considered to allow for better continuity. In the

challenging because certain genetic analyzers are sensitive to not only dust, but also vibration. If the renovation work was not

FIGURE 2: Consolidated Lab Axonometric PAGE 4 | case study: molecular pathology laboratory

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\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

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3 separate phases of work (to continue operations)

•

4 separate laboratories combined into 1 consolidated laboratory.

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Consolidation and relocation of over eighty minus 80 freezers and

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refrigerators

We Are Healthcare Architects

RESULTS The goal was to consolidate and streamline as many functions as possible, from deliveries to lab process flows and create larger more open spaces for future flexibility. Budget and code restrictions did not allow for the entire department to be combined.

Despite this, Array was able to better allocate space and implement better workflows that improved efficiencies.

The Ohio State University’s newly-configured Molecular Pathology/PCR department space includes various lab and support functions for their current increased capacity needs and future growth.

TOOLS Array used several tools to keep all the changing information current, including BIM (Revit 2017), Bluebeam Studio and Skype, along with weekly Action Item lists and Owner calls, to address anything outstanding and keep the project moving forward. Utilizing technology, including real-time edits, helped the entire design team and clients not only see the updates

We are a team of architects and designers with unique backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common - we share a strong desire to use our expertise and knowledge to design solutions that will help people in moments that matter most.

This focus makes us leaders in our field. There’s a degree of compassion, empathy, and sensitivity that goes into every project that we touch. It’s designing a team center with sight lines to every patient. It’s building a Behavioral Health facility without corners, so that patients are safe. It’s translating the operational needs through the technical details to fine tune the lighting system in a neonatal unit so caregivers can match the lighting to each baby’s stage of development. It is a deeper understanding, honed through relationships spanning decades.

Together, we discover optimal solutions with our clients. It is our four decades of specialization that allows for effective communication, collaboration and precision in the complex, changing world of healthcare.

live, but also helped keep track of all team decisions made.

Array’s Knowledge Communities We believe strongly in sharing our expertise and knowledge with others. We invite you to explore each of our thought leaders and share your thoughts with the healthcare design community.

Click here to visit our Thoughts page.

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to view our thought leadership on laboratory spaces

FIGURE 3: Main Staff Cafeteria

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Published: October 2020

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