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Medical Construction & Design | J U LY/AUGUST 2017 | MCDM AG.COM
I
t's widely accepted that
when designing pediatric
facilities, the goal is to
understand and meet the needs
of the most vulnerable patients
— children. However, equally
as important is incorporating
design features that serve
not only children, but family
members, physicians, nurses
and other users of the facility.
The following guidelines can
serve as best practices for
designing pediatric healthcare
facilities.
Putting children
and families fi rst
with amenities
Any parent who brings chil-
dren to the hospital appreci-
ates convenience during a
time that is often stressful.
Successful design should seek
to understand a family's visit to
the facility and how the built
environment can ease their
stress. And the experience
begins before the family enters
the facility.
In the visitor parking ga-
rage, the design team can stra-
tegically locate spaces for pull-
wagons to be stored, allowing
families to easily transport
children and belongings during
their visit. Once in the hospital,
the focus turns more toward
amenities — creating family
areas that respond to both
long- and short-term visits.
Great satisfi ers include not just
sleeper sofas in the children's
rooms, but desk space, access
Meeting needs of children,
families and healthcare workers
through design
BY ERIN E. FOGARTY &
JACQUELINE FOY
Children
First
It's important to develop an environment that welcomes people from all
backgrounds while celebrating art and play.
> Top: Inclusive approaches to art
and play help children and families from all backgrounds to feel this is truly their
hospital.