Originally designed with all private patient rooms, the hospital adapted during COVID-19 to allow multiple patients per room under a temporary waiver with the State. This was needed due to the existing rooms not meeting the spatial needs for semi-private bed clearances.  As that need persisted, Parkland made the strategic decision to permanently expand capacity by finishing out the shelled 8th and 9th floors of the WISH building with semi-private Med Surg patient rooms.

Rather than simply converting existing rooms in the hospital, which would have compromised nurse workflows and bed counts during renovations, the team developed an innovative nested semi-private room prototype for the shell space. This approach maintained compliance with State of Texas requirements while improving functionality, patient privacy, and staff efficiency. Each room was designed as a suite with a shared bathroom, integrated storage, and visual privacy elements, while carefully balancing clearance requirements and operational flow.

Collaboration between planning, design, construction and clinical stakeholders was critical in shaping the solution. The team evaluated multiple options early, aligning on a layout that maximized patient capacity without sacrificing care quality. Nursing workflows were a key driver of the design, with both decentralized nurse work areas and a central nurse work area strategically positioned to support visibility into patient rooms while maintaining efficient staff movement, charting access and collaboration space.

The resulting unit layouts for Levels 8 and 9 optimize adjacencies between med-surg and med-secure functions, streamline staff circulation, and create a more efficient care environment. Thoughtful planning of support spaces, charting locations, and patient access points ensures that both patient and staff needs are met within the constraints of the existing building.

Throughout the process, the team approached the project holistically, balancing code compliance, operational efficiency, and patient experience. By rethinking the standard patient room model and leveraging a collaborative planning process, the project transforms previously shelled space into high-performing clinical environments that expand access to care and support Parkland’s long-term growth.