Caruana & Associates website
excerpts
Profile
Founded in 1992 by Edward J. Caruana, AIA, NCARB, Caruana & Associates has made its mark in Southern California as a specialist in planning, architecture and interior design for healthcare, laboratory and telecommunications facilities.
As a mid-sized firm, we foster close working relationships with our clients. Every project is led by one of our principals.
Our clients can expect:
Case Studies
excerpt
Project: Emergency Department
Client: Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Location: Long Beach, CA
Summary: Well-planned and closely integrated phasing facilitated a major expansion and remodel of the ED that maintained the original 33-bed count throughout construction.
Blueprint for expansion
The department consists of pediatric, low-acuity, high-acuity, chest pain and trauma units, plus patient and staff support areas. After expanding the waiting room area, the client was still faced with overlong waiting times for beds.
Based on patient census information from the ED and ancillary departments, we determined that multiple areas would require remodeling and expansion. We proposed increasing the bed count to 53 and expanding multiple support services, including X-ray, patient holding rooms, family rooms, public restrooms, offices and staff shower lockers.
Building and site constraints
The medical center consists of four intersecting structures, two sheer-wall concrete buildings and two steel-moment frame buildings — all of which had to function as a single, unified space. The site was constrained by a public right-of-way to the north, an existing radiology department to the east and west, and a public corridor to the east. A public entrance and corridor bifurcated minor and acute care areas.
Expansion integrated with key medical center areas
We conceived the ED expansion in relation to the pediatric hospital, radiology and surgery departments, helipad connection, ambulance and walk-in entries, patient drop-off and parking, emergency vehicle parking and bed tower access.
The structure was expanded on the north side as far as possible, while maintaining the separation of walk-in and ambulance entries. To the south, the public corridor was diverted to allow for expansion into an abandoned lab area and second-floor office.
Space planning suited to individual needs
To foster maximum patient-staff involvement, we replaced traditional corridors and exam rooms with suites. Units may be opened to accommodate high volume or closed during slow times. Identical patient treatment rooms in the specialized units promote a standardized level of staff interaction.
excerpts
Profile
Founded in 1992 by Edward J. Caruana, AIA, NCARB, Caruana & Associates has made its mark in Southern California as a specialist in planning, architecture and interior design for healthcare, laboratory and telecommunications facilities.
As a mid-sized firm, we foster close working relationships with our clients. Every project is led by one of our principals.
Our clients can expect:
- A cohesive team that works with you throughout all project phases
- Creative problem-solving
- High ethical standards
- Fast, responsive communication
- Clear, detailed design and construction documents
- Efficient, detail-oriented construction administration
Case Studies
excerpt
Project: Emergency Department
Client: Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
Location: Long Beach, CA
Summary: Well-planned and closely integrated phasing facilitated a major expansion and remodel of the ED that maintained the original 33-bed count throughout construction.
Blueprint for expansion
The department consists of pediatric, low-acuity, high-acuity, chest pain and trauma units, plus patient and staff support areas. After expanding the waiting room area, the client was still faced with overlong waiting times for beds.
Based on patient census information from the ED and ancillary departments, we determined that multiple areas would require remodeling and expansion. We proposed increasing the bed count to 53 and expanding multiple support services, including X-ray, patient holding rooms, family rooms, public restrooms, offices and staff shower lockers.
Building and site constraints
The medical center consists of four intersecting structures, two sheer-wall concrete buildings and two steel-moment frame buildings — all of which had to function as a single, unified space. The site was constrained by a public right-of-way to the north, an existing radiology department to the east and west, and a public corridor to the east. A public entrance and corridor bifurcated minor and acute care areas.
Expansion integrated with key medical center areas
We conceived the ED expansion in relation to the pediatric hospital, radiology and surgery departments, helipad connection, ambulance and walk-in entries, patient drop-off and parking, emergency vehicle parking and bed tower access.
The structure was expanded on the north side as far as possible, while maintaining the separation of walk-in and ambulance entries. To the south, the public corridor was diverted to allow for expansion into an abandoned lab area and second-floor office.
Space planning suited to individual needs
To foster maximum patient-staff involvement, we replaced traditional corridors and exam rooms with suites. Units may be opened to accommodate high volume or closed during slow times. Identical patient treatment rooms in the specialized units promote a standardized level of staff interaction.
client
Caruana & Associates
project
Website (launched in 2003)
audience
Health care management,
job seekers
goal
To create an effective marketing tool by using case studies that demonstrate the firm’s problem-solving capabilities
Caruana & Associates
project
Website (launched in 2003)
audience
Health care management,
job seekers
goal
To create an effective marketing tool by using case studies that demonstrate the firm’s problem-solving capabilities