Better, Not Just Bigger

Baptist Health Hardin, Emergency Department

To Project Types

Elizabethtown, Ky | 25,000 SF Renovation

More space and better efficiency help transform care at a high-volume emergency department.

With 70,000 annual visits—and a high incidence of trauma cases for a community hospital—an expansion that doubled their space was only part of the solution for Hardin’s Emergency Department. Reimagining how they deliver care was critical.

Axon Rendering of "Ribbon" Layout

The “ribbon” layout with its radially arrayed exam rooms and glass partitions establish clear sightlines; universal exam rooms allow departments to flex according to patient volume. A robust triage area improves patient flow by supporting quicker testing, evaluation, and resolution for patients less critical patients, and better segmentation for others. Centrally located staff break rooms let medical personnel ‘take five’ while staying connected to patients and peers.

Before Renovation
After Renovation
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I never once heard the word “can’t” when asking if something could be done. Their expertise and attentiveness made our design phase a painless and enjoyable experience.

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- Dennis Johnson, President & CEO, Baptist Health Hardin

Emergency care involves diverse treatment protocols. To ensure the right supplies are always within reach, they’re tiered: Exam rooms are stocked with standard items; specialist supplies—for suturing, broken bones, sexual assault, etc.— live in color coded carts stationed throughout the corridor; refills are distributed from central supply rooms.

Transparency plays a major role in transforming the Hardin ED operational model.

We used lean principles to identify value streams—quality, safety, security, and flow— that helped transform their operational model. The result is a high-volume emergency department that moved from ‘making do’ to a better, more efficient experience for patients and staff.

The ribbon layout keeps nurses and patients in close proximity so staff can multi-task or take a quick break while still being nearby.