Tertiary academic medical center Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC) in Burlington, Mass., wanted a new simulation lab on-site. It sought a solution that’s accessible 24/7 and allows providers to work in a realistic healthcare setting. The space had to provide a place where new techniques and technologies could be learned, as well.

Lahey Hospital & Medical Center is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a healthcare system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community, and specialty hospitals.

The resulting project included renovating 4,000 square feet of administrative space to include a classroom that can easily be arranged to a conference room. It also houses a simulation patient room and operating room (OR) suite with control room that overlooks the OR and an exam space.

The support areas include simulator work rooms, offices, kitchen, and a reception lobby. The dual classroom and conference room space is located across the hall from the simulation OR. Proximity of the classroom to the simulation spaces allows staff to review and train within a classroom environment and easily practice procedures steps away from the classroom.

Designed for flexibility, the multiuse classroom and conference room allows for smaller breakout spaces with the use of a room divider wall and mobile tables and chairs. Wall-mounted monitors, ceiling mounted speakers, and audio-visual technology on both sides of the room permits one large space to function as two individual areas.

The proximity of the full-size simulation OR, located across the hall from the classroom, maximizes ease of use. The space allows for practice of procedures as well as observation from the control room in a hands-on environment.

The control room, outfitted with one-way glazing, is located between the simulation OR and patient room, allowing observation of both rooms. The space is outfitted with the latest technology for communication before, during, and after the procedure is performed.

Project details:

Facility name: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Simulation Center

Location: Burlington, Mass.

Completion date: November 2021

Owner: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC)

Total building area: 4,000 sq. ft. (project area)

Total construction cost: $1.7 million

Cost/sq. ft.: $434/sq. ft.

Architecture firm: Margulies Perruzzi

Interior design: Margulies Perruzzi

General contractor: Columbia Construction Co.

Engineering: R.W. Sullivan (MEP/FP engineering), CMTA (mechanical infrastructure engineer)

Builder: Columbia Construction Company