Sanford Virtual Care Center

The Challenge

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the U.S., developed a virtual care initiative to transform health care for populations in rural and underserved areas. This initiative leverages leading virtual care technologies to serve people in Sanford Health’s 250,000-square-mile service area that ranges across the upper Midwest.

Sanford Health envisioned an innovative facility that brings together virtual care, medical education and research under one roof. The project team was challenged to determine the degree to which each of these three services is represented within the facility and how each service line may grow over time.

The Design Solution

The Virtual Care Center’s modern exterior incorporates expansive glass panels and horizontal design elements that depart from Sanford Health’s traditional architectural style to indicate that this is a vibrant new type of building.

The entry lobby is highlighted by a feature wall composed of angular wooden elements that are pieced together to symbolize both the movement of water, in tribute to the natural waterfalls that define Sioux Falls, and the dynamic flow of virtual care.

Technology is subtly embedded throughout the building to support a seamless user experience and ensure that digital tools enhance the environment, rather than overwhelm it. But one prominent technology feature anchors the lobby: a custom, large-format touchscreen wall designed for both visitors and employees. This interactive display allows users to explore a full-scale human body model, view Sanford Health locations through an integrated Google Maps interface, access live camera feeds from cities served by Sanford Health and more. It serves as an engaging, educational tool that showcases Sanford Health’s reach, innovation and commitment to transparency in care.

The first floor of the Virtual Care Center houses an Education Institute and an Innovation Center. The Education Institute includes spaces for medical students, residents and nurses from throughout Sanford Health’s extensive service area to receive training in person or via distance learning, using augmented and virtual reality technology and high-fidelity simulations. The Innovation Center, which is open to all Sanford Health staff and can be leased to vendors or the public, features “think-make-test” spaces where people can brainstorm, develop and try out big ideas to advance virtual caregiving. It includes dedicated space for clinical trial research and development.

Dedicated clinician workspaces equipped with the latest telemedicine technology are located on the upper floor of the Virtual Care Center, to support on-demand urgent care, behavioral health care and primary care services. TeleSitter technology allows staff to monitor patients in both inpatient and outpatient facilities across the region.

The facility also includes office space for Sanford Health administrators and several areas where clinicians can interact with one another and discuss patient care. Printed patient stories are displayed in the building on magnetic panels that can easily be updated over time, to maintain focus on the people whose lives are impacted by the health system.

The Design Impact

The Sanford Virtual Care Center changes the way care is delivered to rural America. The building serves as a hub for a network of virtual clinics and telehealth services, reduces operating costs, helps alleviate health care staff shortages and increases access to health care services for patients in rural areas.

HKS is conducting a post-occupancy facility performance evaluation to determine the full reach and success of this project.