Client: Swedish Hospital at Ballard
Dates of Service: 1997
Project Summary: This decade-old, 5-story hospital has been experiencing extensive window leakage since its construction. Its structural system consisted of post-tensioned lift-slab construction supported on steel columns, with an exterior skin of panelized brick as well as brick veneer cladding, and strip and curtain wall glazing. In addition to the persistent window leakage, the building’s exterior displayed signs of cracking, displacement, joint failure, and related problems.
PL: BECS Services: PL: BECS was retained to determine the cause of the cracking and displacement in the brick cladding and the window leakage, and to provide an overall evaluation of the building’s exterior envelope.
The PL: BECS investigation revealed that much of the cracking and displacement was caused by the post-tensioned creep of the floor slabs, resulting in buckled windows, cracked and displaced brick, and similar symptoms.
Most of the leakage resulted from improper design and installation of the store-front window system within a panelized brick cladding, which lacked adequate flashings. Additional problems resulted from the embedment of unprotected reinforcing in the panelized brick, whose subsequent corrosion caused cracking in the masonry.
The PL: BECS investigation also revealed dangerous installation of the brick veneer, whose anchors, though placed in the veneer, were left completely unsecured to the metal-framed structure, posing a major risk of seismic failure. Additional problems included inadequate anchor engagement, the absence of masonry ledger flashings, and numerous other flaws.
The PL: BECS report provided detailed recommendations for addressing all of these flaws to provide seismic stability and long-term integrity of the building’s exterior envelope elements. The estimated cost of the corrective work ranged from 1.2 to 1.8 million dollars, depending on the specific selection of the options presented in the PL: BECS report.
Services Provided by Ballard Hospital, South Wing
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The South Wing of Ballard Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that aim to provide superior care to patients in terms of their comfort, security, and overall experience. The hospital provides fully equipped patient rooms and cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment facilities thanks to its extensive investments in cutting-edge infrastructure and technology. A state-of-the-art healthcare center provides patients with the highest chance of recovery.
Comprehensive Medical Services
Ballard Hospital’s South Wing offers a wide variety of medical services to address the varying needs of the local community. Orthopedic, cardiovascular, emergency medical, and surgical subspecialties are all represented at this facility. Thanks to the comprehensive nature of the services provided, patients may rest assured that they will have ready access to the medical information and treatments they need. The hospital has a multidisciplinary strategy to deliver care that is coordinated and integrated across specialties.
Skilled Healthcare Professionals
The medical professionals working in the South Wing of Ballard Hospital are among the best in the country, and they also care deeply about their patients. The hospital staff consists of trained professionals from a wide range of fields, including physicians, nurses, technicians, and administrative assistants. Experts in the field have pledged to provide each patient with specialized, evidence-based care, ensuring that they receive the attention they need. The professionalism and compassion of the doctors and nurses make a huge difference in the quality of care patients receive.
Patient-Centered Care
Patient care is prioritized in all areas of the Ballard Hospital South Wing. Every aspect of the hospital’s services and operations is designed with the patient’s safety and comfort in mind. The hospital prioritizes the needs and wishes of its patients by streamlining admission procedures and placing an emphasis on open communication and patient participation in decision-making. The compassionate and respectful approach enhances patient satisfaction and health outcomes by fostering a trusting relationship between healthcare personnel and patients.