Northwell Health Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility Clinic

Northwell Health and Lenox Hill Hospital engaged E4H and Axis Construction for a design-build project to create the Northwell Health Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) clinic in New York City. The Northwell REI clinic is one of the most advanced projects of its kind, designed using materials with minimal VOCs and off gassing, which will have a positive effect on patient fertility rates. The clinic is located in the Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital (MEETH). The first-floor clinic encompasses 4,405 square feet and includes endocrinology, phlebotomy, exam rooms, counseling rooms, nurse/ MD & staff offices, and waiting & reception areas. The sixth floor is 7,016 square feet and includes andrology, collection rooms, cryo, embryology, transfer, retrieval, recovery, and patient & staff lockers.

LEAN Design Process

E4H facilitated the process for Northwell Health’s Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic at MEETH. During this project the E4H team worked seamlessly with Northwell’s Integrated Facility Design process in collaboration with Northwell’s internal LEAN team. As the REI program was relatively new to Northwell we reviewed with stakeholders past experiences to identify waste, while focusing a significant time on the ideal future state flow; but more importantly the materials used in the built environment to allow for an increased fertilization rate. Once the charter was developed and the metrics for success understood and agreed on by the key stakeholders we started the process. The planning and design process was focused in a big room environment where all key stakeholders were present each week and had a voice at the table. This integrated design team actively utilized LEAN principles such as 3P kickoff, 7 Ways, process flow diagrams, 5 Whys, 5 S’s, and Provocation Exercises to clearly navigate to the ideal future state.

During the Concept Development phase the team continued to leverage LEAN tools such as Bubble and Block Diagrams, Pull and Flow Exercises, 8 Flows and SIPOCs diagrams for patient experience. Utilizing these tools with stakeholder involvement led to the finalized conceptual layout and flow that aligned with the full team. In the Schematic and Design Development phases the team further refined and validated the design, spatial awareness and schedule using weekly Pull-Planning. The team also focused on the building materials with the stakeholders and international consultants that would ensure the lowest VOC’s in the built environment, resulting in the highest embryonic fertilization rate.