Centralizing Clinical Laboratory Services at Loyola University Medical Center
Loyola University Medical Center partnered with HED to create a centralized, state-of-the-art clinical laboratory that would improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and increase overall output across its health system. The goal was to consolidate multiple smaller laboratories serving the academic medical center and two community hospitals—Gottlieb Memorial Hospital and MacNeal Hospital—into one modern, highly efficient facility.
The result is a pristine laboratory spanning the fourth and fifth floors of the Emergency Medical Services building on Loyola’s Maywood campus. By uniting services under one roof, the new lab provides an open, flexible environment designed to support more than 2.5 million billable inpatient and outpatient procedures annually. Administrative functions were strategically located adjacent to the open lab to further streamline specimen processing and improve communication between staff.
HED worked closely with Loyola Medicine to rethink lab operations from the ground up. Together, the team focused on optimizing workflows, improving efficiency, and planning for long-term growth, including the integration of emerging technologies and advanced testing methodologies. A major feature of the renovation was the installation of an automated line on the fifth floor, dramatically improving throughput while enhancing both the accuracy and efficiency of specimen testing.
Centralizing services across the two floors also created new opportunities for resource efficiency. Shared equipment that had previously been isolated within individual labs could now be accessed by all, while consolidated supply inventory allowed Loyola to implement just-in-time inventory control. These changes not only improved cost management but also reduced delays in processing.
The design prioritized both functionality and user experience. Open lab environments were planned with optimal placement of new automated equipment systems, ensuring adaptability for future upgrades. Generous access to daylight further enhances the workspace, contributing to a healthier and more engaging environment for staff.
By consolidating laboratory services into one modern facility, Loyola University Medical Center created a platform for innovation, efficiency, and growth. The new laboratory supports the health system’s mission of delivering advanced, reliable care to its communities while providing the infrastructure to adapt to new technologies and rising demand. HED’s design demonstrates how thoughtful planning and collaboration can transform laboratory operations, turning a fragmented system into a centralized resource that strengthens the entire network.
