About the Garfield Innovation Center

Small Entry: Garfield CenterThe Garfield Innovation Center is a living laboratory where ideas are tested and solutions are developed in a hands-on, mocked-up clinical environment. Many aspects of delivering healthcare can be innovated and examined at the Center using real-world scenarios and activities, such as simulations, technology testing, prototyping, product evaluations, and training.

After initial testing at the Garfield Center, successful initiatives may undergo additional testing in live patient environments at various Kaiser Permanente medical centers, medical offices, and clinics across the nation.

The Garfield Center opened on June 26, 2006 and is located in San Leandro, California near the Oakland airport. Created as a resource for all of KP and its regions, the Center is jointly funded internally by Kaiser Permanente's National Facilities Services (NFS), Information Technology (KP-IT), and National Patient Care Services (PCS) groups.

Hours and Availability

The Garfield Innovation Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on Fridays. The Center is open to KP groups and focuses on holding simulations and prototyping activities to promote innovation at Kaiser Permanente. All activities and tours are by appointment only.


Plan and Schedule an Activity KP internal link

Garfield Innovation Center Space Details

The Garfield Innovation Center contains 37,000 sq. ft. with simulated care delivery environments and prototyping space designed to test and innovate clinical workflows, architectural designs, technology, interoperability, and products. An inpatient unit is mocked up as well as an outpatient clinic and a home environment.

The inpatient space includes a medical/surgical unit and other hospital rooms:

Garfield floorplan

Garfield Center Floorplan

  • Standard and Special Needs Med-Surg Rooms
  • Critical Care Patient Room
  • Labor and Delivery Room (LDR)
  • Staff Unit Core Area with Nurse Work Stations
  • Operating Room (OR)
  • Emergency Department (ED) Treatment Room
  • Consult Room
  • Family Waiting Room

The large rapid prototyping area provides space for quick design development. A technology lab insures products will be tested to their limit and learning labs are available for debriefing after Center activities.

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The most exciting aspect of the Garfield Center is that it connects the groups who need to work collaboratively to develop technologies and facilities. It's always a challenge in health care to break out of our silos and the Garfield Center provides an exciting physical space that energizes our staff to work collaboratively on innovations which will provide our members with the best care.

Jennifer Ruzek, Garfield Center Director