BOSTON, MA Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston, Massachusetts,' most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announces the opening of ReadyMED PLUS, a new 14,000-square-foot urgent care, diagnostic imaging and infusion suite facility, for Reliant Medical Group, a multi-specialty healthcare system. Located at 366 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, ReadyMED PLUS is Reliant's fifth walk-in medical care clinic in central Massachusetts to offer convenient, non-emergency medical services for adults and children. Having collaborated on several prior ReadyMED facilities as well as other projects, Reliant engaged MPA and Cutler Associates, an integrated design and construction management firm based in Worcester, Massachusetts, to design/build the facility.

Unique and not available at the other four ReadyMED sites, the "PLUS" at this location represents a new concept for ReadyMED: the addition of an infusion suite for a variety of needs, from hydration to antibiotics, and expanded diagnostic imaging services including CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound. The facility will also become the new home of Reliant's Adult and Pediatric Urgent Care services. 

Reliant Medical Group is an independent group of physicians with more than 300 doctors and 2,500 employees located at more than 25 practice sites throughout central and metro west Massachusetts. ReadyMED PLUS is a newly constructed building on a highly visible corner of retail overlay district in Worcester. To promote a more active streetscape, MPA designed ReadyMED PLUS as a hub for this neighborhood, siting the building prominently on the corner and placing the parking lot for 73 cars adjacent to the building for staff and patients. Introducing an infusion suite within an urgent care center with adjacent parking provides patients with the most comfortable and convenient way to receive intravenous antibiotics and chronic-illness infusion drugs.

Based on the successful delivery model in Reliant's other centers, the ReadyMED PLUS facility features three medical suites (urgent care, imaging, and infusion) and a large reception area with electronic self-service check-in kiosks and a concierge-style greeter for information and assistance. Reliant recognized the symbiosis of care between the three medical spaces, as urgent care patients often need several services and greater medical supervision. Reliant and MPA utilized the LEAN design process to design a welcoming, efficient clinic that optimizes space, improves operational flow, and provides a positive patient experience.

"ReadyMED PLUS is a great example of how Reliant Medical Group is committed to delivering healthcare that's most convenient for the way people live today," said John Duggan, Vice President of Real Estate at Reliant Medical Group. "By co-locating and sharing resources among these three medical suites in the new ReadyMED PLUS, our staff will realize great efficiencies to provide a comfortable environment for our patients. The MPA and Cutler team has delivered another successful ReadyMED project."

Catering to patients for simple hydration or regular infusion treatment, the infusion suite provides 10 bays in a combination of private and more open settings. The imaging suite offers readily available x-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan radiology. Lastly, the urgent care suite is divided into two pods of eight exam rooms each, with a section designated for pediatrics. While each pod can operate independently at lower volume, the interaction between the pods provides collaboration between providers during busy times. The exam rooms are set up specifically for simple surgical procedures, testing and monitoring.

Focused on patient convenience, the design concept for ReadyMED PLUS aims to demystify the relationship between the patient and the healthcare provider. This is achieved using transparency throughout the space to create a comfortable, attractive environment, while also maintaining patient privacy. MPA's design splits the waiting area into two spaces, with one designated for healthy infusion patients only and the larger main waiting area containing a child-friendly space. A wall of glass separates the waiting area from the clinical spaces, providing patients with a glimpse of activity. The interior finishes were chosen to give the waiting area a "living room" quality.

Together, MPA and Cutler previously designed and constructed for Reliant four ReadyMED clinics in Auburn, Hudson, Milford, and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, as well as a 36,000-square-foot medical office building in Holden, Massachusetts.