Challenge:

The University of Kansas Health System needed to expand its microbiology capabilities to meet growing diagnostic demands, improve turnaround times for critical tests, and enhance biosafety standards for handling hazardous pathogens. The available space at the existing lab was limited, with no option for expansion, and the only viable option was a previously underutilized storage area at the Strawberry Hill campus. In addition to spatial constraints, the project required complex specialized medical equipment integration, IT infrastructure, and careful planning to maintain continuous lab operations during the transition.

Solution:

To meet these challenges, Pulse Design Group's equipment planning team, in conjunction with Cannon Design, transformed the 6,500 SF storage space into a state-of-the-art microbiology laboratory with a strategic design focused on efficiency, safety, and innovation. A unidirectional workflow and open floor plan streamline specimen processing and minimize the risk of cross-contamination. A key feature of the lab is a fully equipped BSL-3 space, designed with negative air pressure and controlled airflow to safely test airborne pathogens.

Cutting-edge automation and diagnostic platforms were seamlessly integrated, including the BD Kiestra line for automated microbiology workflows, BD systems for blood cultures and antibiotic susceptibility testing, and molecular platforms like Biofire and Cepheid to accelerate diagnostics for time-sensitive conditions. Additionally, the lab is one of three in the country utilizing the Pramana slide scanner and Techcyte’s AI-powered analysis for electronic microscopy inpatient testing.

To address operational continuity, Pulse Design Group Equipment Planning and the project team developed and executed a phased transition plan, enabling lab services to remain active throughout the transition. The result is a state-of-the-art, high-performing facility that significantly advances diagnostic precision, enhances biosafety, and strengthens the region’s ability to respond to infectious disease challenges.