Duluth Clinic Eye Department

Healthcare Projects: +

Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology

Project Type:  Renovation and
                          Expansion
                          Duluth, MN

Client: Essentia Health

The existing Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology department consisted of 14 eye-lanes and diagnostic spaces, an insufficient waiting area that often spilled into the public corridor space, and a retail optical shop that was located remotely from the clinical spaces.  The challenge presented to LHB was to renovate and expand the existing Ophthalmology department, increase the number of eye-lanes, provide dedicated diagnostic rooms, integrate the optical shop into the department, and phase the project so that clinical services could continue throughout the construction process. 

LHB’s design solution included relocating the optical shop immediately adjacent to the reception and Ophthalmology waiting spaces.  This provided the opportunity for patients to wander through the optical shop while waiting for an appointment, which in turn should increase retail sales.  Patient privacy was increased by relocating the registration desk to the department entrance, separate from the waiting area. 

While expansion into adjacent vacated clinical space allowed for an increase in the number of eye-lanes, extensive remodeling of the existing Ophthalmology department was required as well.  In order to maintain operations during the construction process, a 4-phase approach was developed.  A detailed phasing plan was developed to assure that the required number of eye-lanes and support spaces would be available during each phase of the project, and that patient and staff safety would be maintained at all times. 

Once complete, the newly renovated Duluth Clinic Ophthalmology department increased the number of eye-lanes and dedicated diagnostic rooms to 28, as well as decentralized nurse stations, registration desk, waiting areas and an optical shop. The cohesive design provides a more relaxing and patient-friendly atmosphere and enhances the capabilities of the Duluth Clinic to serve their patients needs.