Blog Contribution by Daniel Troup, MS, Director of Facility Infrastructure and Safety, Stanford Medicine Children’ Health.
As the facility director of a pediatric hospital, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact that collaboration between facility teams and nursing staff has on creating spaces that support patient care. In a pediatric setting, the stakes are even higher, as our designs must not only meet the needs of all staff but must also provide a comfortable, healing environment for children and their families. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through maintaining strong relationships with nursing leadership and engaging them in the design and decision-making processes. Nurses are the primary caregivers in our hospital, and they have unique insights into how design choices affect patient outcomes and the overall care environment. Regular, structured meetings with nurse leaders are key to ensuring their voices are heard and their feedback is implemented, particularly when making major decisions that impact patient units and bed availability during construction projects. Below are some key points to increase your chances of success during the design and construction phases of new patient care areas, using a collaborative approach.
Nurses and other clinicians participating in a mock-up patient room to provide insight into the design of our new NICU department.
Nurses and other clinicians participating in a mock-up patient room to provide insight into the design of our new NICU department.
1. Engage Nursing in the Design Process
In a pediatric hospital, functionality is critical. Nurses are at the frontline of patient and family care, navigating patient rooms, medication stations, and play areas. They understand the practical challenges of delivering care to children and their families. Their feedback during regular meetings is invaluable in designing spaces that improve workflow, reduce stress, and enhance patient safety. For instance, ensuring quick access to supplies or designing child-friendly examination rooms can make a world of difference in how efficiently nurses can deliver care.
2. Collaboration to Decrease the Impact of Construction on Patient Care
Renovations and facility upgrades are inevitable in a hospital setting, but in a pediatric hospital, where the availability of specialized beds and units is critical, we must carefully manage the impact of construction. Regular meetings with nursing leaders allow us to plan proactively and align on strategies to minimize disruptions. Whether it’s staggering construction timelines to avoid peak patient volumes or finding temporary solutions for displaced beds, having nursing input helps us make informed decisions that prioritize patient care.
3. Listen to the Experts
Pediatric nurses have an intimate understanding of how the environment affects young patients and their families. They know which aspects of a hospital can comfort a scared child or ease the anxiety of parents. By meeting regularly with nursing leaders, we ensure that the spaces we create—from patient rooms to play areas—are tailored to the unique emotional and physical needs of children. This might include incorporating soothing colors, playful design elements, and areas where family members can stay close to their children. Nurses help us create environments that foster healing in ways that go beyond clinical care.
4. Design with Wellness in Mind
Caring for pediatric patients can be both rewarding and emotionally taxing. Nurses, especially in a pediatric setting, need spaces where they can recharge and regroup. During regular feedback sessions, nursing leaders provide critical input on the design of staff spaces, ensuring that break rooms and respite areas offer true sanctuary. Whether it’s designing spaces that provide privacy, access to natural light, or places to decompress, nurses help us create environments that support their well-being, which in turn enhances patient care.
5. Continually Focus on Trust and Collaboration
A pediatric hospital’s success depends on the trust and collaboration between its staff. Through consistent meetings and open communication, we build mutual trust with nursing leaders. When they feel their insights are valued, they become key advocates for facility decisions and champions of change within their teams. This collaboration also allows us to stay aligned on both immediate needs, such as unit adjustments during renovations, and long-term goals, like designing future expansions.
6. Incorporate Nursing Feedback and Obtain Approval on Major Decisions
Perhaps most critically, engaging nursing leadership ensures that any significant construction or renovation project that impacts patient units receives their approval before moving forward. In a pediatric hospital, where bed availability and patient flow are sensitive to change, it’s crucial that nursing teams are involved early and often. These meetings allow us to discuss timelines, adjust plans based on real-time care needs, and maintain transparency in decision-making. By involving nursing leaders in these key decisions, we ensure that the projects proceed in a way that supports, rather than disrupts, patient care.
Director of Infrastructure and Safety meeting with the Director of Patient Access to work through construction issues.