The Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building opened its doors to patients in February of 2023. Since then, RUSH providers and patients have experienced what it is like to practice and receive care in the new outpatient care center — a destination for state-of-the-art care in cancer, neurosciences, digestive diseases and more.
Since the building’s opening, patient satisfaction scores have soared across many departments, including the RUSH Cancer Center. This positive feedback has not been limited to patients — RUSH providers have found the transition to working in the Rubschlager Building to be beneficial as well.
Teri Dougherty, NP, was involved in the early planning for the Rubschlager Building, where providers were able to give input and vote on certain features. After working in the hematology-oncology department at RUSH for many years, she was initially hesitant about moving into the new space but found the transition to be smooth.
According to Dougherty, the workflow in the new space has been fluid and efficient. Patients are roomed quickly, and providers can spend more time collaborating and communicating in the new, shared workspaces. “Having our whole team in very close proximity has been another bonus,” she says. “It’s a nice arrangement for communication — it’s helpful to productivity, and it’s great to have someone there to answer questions or help to get something done.“
The co-location of services in the Rubschlager Building has been a noticeable benefit for providers. In these shared clinic spaces, providers sit among peers from multiple departments, leading to more open communication and teamwork.
Accessible bathrooms, an in-house pharmacy, wheelchair accommodating scales, wide hallways and ample seating options have also been noted by patients as perks of the new space. Patient rooms are comfortable and equipped with digital screens that providers can use to easily share test results, scans and more.
Provider on-time display boards, located outside of each clinic pod, have also been a hit — patients can easily view their wait time, which allows them to determine if they can grab a snack or cup of coffee while they wait between appointments.
Staff who work in the building have found plenty of benefits as well. Breakrooms and respite spaces in each pod provide staff with a place to prepare meals and take breaks. Teaching spaces and conference rooms are available for meetings and educational instruction.
The walk to the Rubschlager Building from other offices on campus has added a wellness benefit, by giving staff who work in the building a chance to get extra steps in each day, which is known to improve cardiovascular health.