Take a step into the country’s newest Donor Care Center that is changing the future of organ procurement.
Committed to a Mission of Hope, Life, and Healing
Project Location
Charlotte, NC
Client
Atrium Health
Area
27,000 SF
Services
Architecture and interiors
New Facility Gives Gift of Life
Donor Care Centers are the newest specialized facility type that supports Organ Procurement Organization’s, commonly referred to as OPOs, daily tasks all under one roof. By addressing the capacity challenges faced by hospitals, these facilities alleviate the strain on hospital resources and streamline the donor process to increase organ, tissue, and eye donations, ultimately saving more lives. Donor Care Centers are vital in facilitating life-saving organ transplants and are making a profound impact on the field of healthcare.
Designing with the Donor in Mind
Organ, tissue, and eye recovery can only happen within a very small window after a death. Previously, staff members drove to hospitals around their region (3-8 hours of travel time) resulting in time lost trying to get on the hospital’s Imaging and Surgical department schedules. Now, donors are brought to the new facility where the Donor Care Suite, Diagnostic Room, and Recovery Suite are all steps away from each other. Having all of these resources under one roof drastically reduced wait time and allowed for more organs to be recovered.
Giving an Old Building New Life
The project was a renovation and addition to an existing facility that was subject to water intrusion, mold, structural issues, and a failing facade. The team used the Lean Construction Methods to help the owner identify various solutions, understand the schedule and/or cost impacts, and help make informed, timely discissions. The building envelope was upgraded with refurbishment of the existing metal panels, storefront, and skylights, ultimately giving the old building new life.
All Resources Under One Roof
To save and enhance more lives by increasing donor gifts, the OPO was organized and equipped with the same resources and departments as a hospital. Organ, tissue, and eye recovery must happen within a very small window after a death. Donors are now brought to the new facility where the Donor Care Suite, Diagnostic Room, and Recovery Suite are all steps away from each other. This streamlined the time-sensitive process, allowing for the recovery of more donations.