Franklin, Wisc.—Omaha-based HDR Architecture has brought a much needed midpatient facility to Franklin, Wisc., with the opening of a new Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Center (WFHC).

Catering to the needs of the midpatient and outpatient communities, the 275,000-sq.-ft., $89.6-million center has 16 overnight beds and is licensed as a hospital. It was conceived for patients who are less acute than typical medical or surgical patients but more acute than typical outpatients—the length of stay is less than 72 hours.

Historically, patients in the Franklin area traveled to neighboring Racine or Milwaukee for this type of care. The new Wheaton facility provides convenient healthcare services that are close to home, eliminating stressful travel for those who are ill.

Wireless communication systems, bedside computerized charting, and computerized check-out are all design elements catering to the midpatient, minimizing costs and reducing turnover time for rooms. Also included is an 18-room emergency department, surgery center, full-service imaging, gastroenterology/endoscopy suites, lab, primary care and specialty physician offices, physical therapy including a continence center, physician-based walk-in care, cardiac rehabilitation, sleep lab, and headache center. A conference center, pharmacy, café, and gift shop were also included to serve the surrounding community as well as patients and their visitors.

Stained-glass windows, wood features, and light fixtures that create more of a residential warmth to the spaces grace the interiors. Energy efficiencies can be found in low-flow plumbing fixtures and low-mercury fluorescent lamps. The hospital is modeled after a natural nautilus, symbolic of the delivery of care within, reducing the walking time of caregivers.