UHN Michael Lawrence Turk Rapid Assessment Centre
Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON

The Emergency Department (ED) at University Health Network’s (UHN’s) Toronto General Hospital (TGH) was built as a state of the art facility in 2000. Over the past few years, the demand for emergency services has risen steadily and the department has outgrown its capacity to manage the patient volumes requiring care in Toronto’s downtown core. Designed to care for 20,000 annually, the ED now sees over 55,000 patients.

Cumulus Architects was retained to develop a new dedicated Rapid Assessment Centre (RAC) - a space where less-urgent patients can be effectively triaged and treated so that essential ED resources remain available to treat critical patients. UHN previously operated a smaller RAC within the ED. Through extensive consultation with UHN’s Emergency Medicine team, Cumulus developed a responsive, flexible and collaborative environment that changes how mild and low acuity patients are treated in the ED.

The resulting Michael Lawrence Turk Rapid Assessment Centre adds almost 10,000 square feet of new space to emergency care at TGH. By providing significantly more treatment spaces the RAC will help relieve current overcrowded ‘hallway care’ by effectively managing patient volumes. The new RAC includes a registration area, 11 recliner bays, 7 exam room rooms, 4 isolation rooms, a procedure room, and a respite room for those who are without housing.

The RAC is innovative in its approach to collaborative and flexible care. A smaller waiting room is possible as patients are registered upon arrival and sent through to a treatment space to begin their care. A series of spacious treatment bays can be used for various functions ranging from a semi-private waiting area to a space where staff can start an IV or deliver care for minor issues. This allows for resource-intensive beds and exam rooms to be kept free for more complex patient needs.

The new RAC is a pleasant and safe space where patients, caregivers and staff can move about with ease. Biophilic design principles are found throughout supporting a calm and mindful experience that is reflected in materials and landscaped views. Small clusters of rooms support improved acoustic treatments to minimize stress in a busy environment. Clear wayfinding features between ED and the new RAC provide visual graphic cues for patients and family to easily find their way between the two major care areas.

This project was made possible thanks to generous donor support through UHN Foundation.

Client: University Health Network
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: HH Angus
Structural Engineering: Entuitive
Landscape Architects: Vertechs Design Inc.
FF&E: Colliers | EPA
Construction: Compass