Said to be the first inpatient cancer unit in the US, dedicated to teens and young adults, the new AYA cancer unit includes 16 inpatient beds for teens and young adults. The new unit is targeted at providing psychosocial support and an age-appropriate environment where patients can connect with their peers.
The other features of the unit include a therapy gym, patient lounge, rooftop terrace, and multi-disciplinary care teams that include a dedicated psychologist and child life specialist.
Adding a new chapter in the hospital’s mission to provide updated healthcare services, Building Hope, located at Seattle Children’s main campus, includes an expanded emergency department (ED). Presenting a new system of care that allows families to be seen by a nurse right away, the new ED features 38 exam rooms, which is 17 more than the existing ED. This approach to emergency care will result in shorter wait times for patients and shorter ED stays overall.
Apart from that Building Hope has added 330,000 square feet of additional space and 80 new beds to meet the increasing demand. Reducing the risk of infection and promoting healing and peace for patients and their families, each room is designed by taking care of the privacy of patients. Patient rooms are also larger in the new expansion.
The rooms are equipped with various modern patient-centered amenities like adjustable temperature and coloured lighting, personal refrigerators, and “Get Well Town,” an interactive, Internet-equipped TV entertainment system with access to movies, games, and personalised care information. Each inpatient unit includes a quiet room and family lounge for the convenience of the families.
The sustainable features of the building includes the provision to use 47% less energy and 30% less water than similar-sized hospitals in the region. More than 4,000 plants, trees and shrubs have been replanted by children. More than 90% of the demolition debris was diverted from landfills through recycling and material reuse during construction.
