Case Study: Dublin Methodist Hospital

Several years ago, we built a new hospital from the ground up in Dublin, Ohio, for the OhioHealth system, and we found ourselves presented with an opportunity to try to put the Fable hospital concept into practice. This planned ninety-four-bed community hospital was intended to serve the growing northwest quadrant of Franklin County, along with areas to the west and northwest. With tertiary facilities already a part of the OhioHealth system, Dublin Methodist was intended to provide primary and secondary care. Our goal was to be as innovative as we could afford to be, to challenge the status quo at every turn. Our stated purpose was to "redefine the way patient care is provided" through the development of a less-stressful healing environment, with an emphasis on patient safety and the patient/family experience. In addition, we promised the community a high level of customer service and elected to incorporate a fully electronic medical record management system in the new facility. The senior leadership and the board of directors of OhioHealth fully supported these efforts. When planning began in 2004, it was apparent that evidence-based design could help to achieve many of our goals. We became aware of evidence-based design from Rosalyn Cama, a consultant on our architectural team who supported its use and employed its principles. The Fable hospital article provided guidance as we began our design journey.