Case Study: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Addressing Challenges in Medical Space Utilization
To support the consolidation of 15 physician-run clinics into a shared hoteling model, HH Angus deployed ARMS using privacy-focused mmWave and 3D stereoptic occupancy sensors combined with centralized utilization analytics and operational dashboards. The solution provided Sunnybrook with highly accurate, real-world occupancy data that revealed underutilized exam rooms, supported more efficient space allocation, reduced the need for additional clinical space, and enabled data-driven operational planning. Similar to higher education environments, the project demonstrated how ARMS can help complex institutions better understand how scheduled spaces are actually being used while supporting long-term planning and operational efficiency initiatives.
The Challenge
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a 1.6 million sqft healthcare campus in Toronto, required reliable occupancy and utilization data to support the consolidation of 15 physician-run clinics into a shared “hoteling” model and to better understand actual exam room usage.
Clinical staff reported ongoing shortages of available bookable rooms, while operational reviews suggested that some spaces remained underutilized throughout the day.
The solution needed to address two critical requirements:
- Accurate occupancy detection during low-motion clinical activities
- Strict privacy protection within sensitive healthcare environments
These operational challenges closely parallel those faced by higher education institutions, where classrooms, offices, study spaces, and shared facilities often appear fully booked but may not reflect actual utilization patterns.
The Solution
HH Angus deployed the Angus Remote Management System (ARMS); implementation included:
- mmWave occupancy sensors capable of detecting micro-movements
- 3D stereoptic sensors for occupancy counting and utilization analytics
- Interactive operational dashboards and visualization tools powered by AWS QuickSight
- Secure centralized occupancy analytics and historical trend reporting
Sensors were deployed throughout clinic and exam room environments to continuously monitor occupancy and utilization patterns without collecting images, audio, or personally identifiable information.
The solution combined real-time occupancy visibility with historical utilization analytics, enabling operational teams to compare scheduled usage against actual occupancy and make evidence-based planning decisions.
The Results
The deployment provided Sunnybrook with detailed operational insight into how clinical spaces were actually being used.
Teams gained:
Accurate Occupancy Visibility - Occupancy sensors delivered approximately 97% occupancy detection accuracy, including during low-motion clinical activities.
Real-Time Utilization Analytics - Operational teams gained visibility into room usage, scheduling inefficiencies, and clinic utilization trends.
Improved Space Allocation - Data-driven insights supported more effective exam room allocation and operational planning.
Accelerated Operational Capacity - The new clinic model achieved Year 6 projected patient volume targets within the first year of operation, supporting more than 22,000 patient visits while avoiding the need for additional clinical space.
Scalable Deployment Framework - The solution established a repeatable occupancy analytics framework that could be expanded across additional clinics and facilities.