Interstate Office Products sponsored this paid article.
Avera Behavioral Hospital’s new addition opened in October. The first patients have been admitted to the new areas.
The urgent care clinic opened at the end March and has been extremely busy, seeing dozens of patients every day.
The hospitals’ increased capacity and attention to design are also a benefit to senior and adult patients.
This is a very special setting, said Thomas Otten (Averas assistant vice-president for Avera Behavioral Health Services).
Yet, it has a very modern appearance and you won’t recognize that you are seeing furniture designed specifically for a hospital. It looks like something you might have in your living space.
Interstate Office Products worked closely with Avera from the beginning to achieve this look and feel.
Otten stated that safety is one of our most important priorities. Otten said that furniture can be either very heavy so that an upset patient cannot pick it up and throw them away, or extremely light so that it doesn’t hurt anyone while still being durable enough. IOP has always been mindful of this safety feature when helping us choose furniture.
Avera worked with Reed Scott, IOP’s account manager, as well as Kaye Hansen (interior designer) on the project.
Scott said that Scott wanted to use similar furniture from Scott’s main building as it had a proven track record of durability and function. This environment can be challenging for furniture.
Hansen said that product offerings have changed a lot since 2005 when the original hospital was built. Hansen said that some of these pieces were used in the hospital’s reconstruction after it was damaged by a tornado a few years back.
She stated that the newer products allow for a variety of styles while still being behavioral grade. There are many options, including lounge seating. It is versatile furniture that can be used in many spaces.
Scott said that the overall design features a mix natural and cherry wood laminates in consult and office rooms, to warm it up.
Otten stated that the color palette is very attractive and soft.
The furnishings for patient rooms vary depending on the age of the patient, but most rooms have a built in desk and IOP provided chairs.
Scott said that these are simple rooms but they serve a purpose.
Hansen explained that there are three main communal spaces: the day rooms, dining rooms, and group rooms. In the day rooms, we did a mix of tables and lounge seating, and the group rooms are more classroom-style with tables and seating.”
Scott said that Scott thought the expansion was very nice. It’s spacious in both the day and group areas, and doesn’t feel cramped. It feels open, there’s good light coming into it, and I think it will work well both for staff and patients.
All furnishings were chosen for their safety, durability, and 10-year warranties. This is a significant time frame in a 24-hour behavioral health hospital, Avera, and IOP stated.
Otten stated that so far everything is going according to plan. The staff loves the new furniture partly because of its safety features.
There is nothing that can cause people to harm themselves. It is all very heavy, but patients love its comfortable furniture. Its modern design and easy cleaning make it a great choice.
Tom Clark, chief strategy officer and growth officer at Averas, stated that patients, their families, and other guests will interact with the hospital. It is important to create welcoming spaces.
You don’t want them to feel cold and sterile. You want them feeling warm, inviting, healing and nurturing. As I walked through the building, I was struck by its beauty and thought that if anyone needed it, this would be a blessing. It’s so inviting, warm, bright, and airy. Their healing won’t be hindered by their environment. That’s amazing.
Otten said that IOP also achieved a breakthrough in the unique aspects of each patient population. Our children have different needs than our elderly population, and they both did a great job.
Avera had, for example, temporarily relocated senior patients from Prince of Peace to Prince of Peace in preparation for the renovation and had at that time ordered a dozen IOP rockers.
Those beds are still doing great, but we now have 20 beds, and Otten stated that they weren’t made anymore.
IOP came out and took photos. We wanted the exact same rockers, so we ordered more. It’s a great example how they work. They will help you solve problems until your environment is perfect.
He said that the whole process is team-oriented in every aspect.
They are friendly and welcoming every time you interact with them. They have a certain etiquette that they use to conduct business. It is always done with a handshake, and a smile.
It is fun to have a conversation with IOP about what you envision and then to see it through. They meet all our needs and check all the boxes.
Light the Way
Interstate Office Products and the Gaspar Family have chosen to honor Gary Gaspars legacy through Averas Light the Way campaign donations. This fundraising success was a major factor in the construction of the Behavioral Healthcare addition. It will continue to support programming, assist patients in accessing and navigating the area, and fund a clothing closet for those arriving with very little or no belongings.
Contributions can be directed atAvera Foundations Light the Way campaign onlineor at 3900 W. Avera Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57108,