Medical Construction & Design

JUL-AUG 2015

Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.

Issue link: https://mcdmag.epubxp.com/i/536727

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 50 of 70

the construction project. As a result, it improves patient safety, communication with hospital personnel and productivity. Creatively engage patients, families Healthcare construction greatly dif- fers from building an of ce tower or a library. Working around patients and their families requires respect, minimiz- ing disruption and noise — and friendly engagement. At the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, the project team worked closely with the hospital's Youth Advisory Council and Family Advisory Council to fi nalize plans for the hospital's design and construction. Children were able to watch construction progress from their patient room windows; the team found ways to involve them throughout the building process. This included invit- ing children to participate in the work- ers' morning "stretch and fl ex" safety exercises and singing "happy birthday" to patients over a two-way radio. Also during the expansion process, the team turned a wheelchair into a "bulldozer" for the Halloween parade, created construction-themed coloring pages and employed a "Where's Freddy?" cutout that got moved every day on the construction site for the children to fi nd from their windows. Additionally, a mock blasting box enabled patients to help with "demolition" using a two-way radio. Instead of allowing construction to be a nuisance to patients and their families, the project team created an interactive environment that provided an entertain- ing diversion for patients and visitors. While these expansions and reno- vations should ultimately result in improved patient experience, better healthcare and improved ef ciency, it is essential that none of these goals are lost during the construction process. In tackling the challenges associated with pursuing renovation projects, fi rms have a unique opportunity to exceed the expectations of owners and patients alike, while creating a lasting, positive impact on healthcare delivery. Andrew Quirk is senior vice president and national director of Skanska USA's Healthcare Center of Excellence. A mock blasting box enabled patients to help with "demolition" using a two-way radio at the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. Instead of allowing construction to be a nuisance to patients and their families, the project team created an interactive environment that provided an entertaining diversion for patients and visitors. 46 Medical Construction & Design | J U LY/AUGUST 2015 | MCDM AG.COM

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Medical Construction & Design - JUL-AUG 2015