A Great Big Hole…Of Hope
During our son’s extended hospital stay following his premature birth, my husband Scott and I watched as a big hole was dug next to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Admittedly, this big hole frustrated us. Construction equals dust which meant access to the rooftop and gardens — two open space areas were families go to connect and spend private time together – was sealed off. But maybe because it also equaled a hole in our hearts as we adjusted to caring for a baby born as a micropreemie. So we did are best to adapt. We were in the unit every day. We became as educated as possible on preemies and Will’s cues. We participated in rounds, we took part in care where we could, and we held will as much as possible once he was stable. And when we needed a break, we walked Stanford campus. I probably went to Stanford Mall a little too much (#retailtherapy).
By the time Will was released from the hospital, we saw progress and were hopeful — both in our son’s health and that big hole. And as we came back to LPCH for follow-up we dedicated staff working hard to problem solve and saw foundations and connections forming — both on the new hospital and for Will.
It probably sounds a little silly to compare the new hospital and our son’s progress following his premature birth, but it’s what this hospital means to us. When you are confronted with your child’s life-threatening health crisis, your family instantly becomes intertwined with the place and people caring for your child. And for hundreds of thousands of families each year, this place becomes home. The connection is instant — and it needs to be as warm, welcoming and accessible for patient and family to encourage healing.
Well, we’re not frustrated by that big hole anymore because today the new Main building and ground at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford opens its doors to patients and families.
Designed to transform the patient and family experience, the new 521,000-square-foot building more than doubles the size of the existing pediatric and obstetric hospital campus, adds 149 patient beds, enabling the hospital to serve more patients — and families — than ever before.
Here are a few highlights to one of the nation’s most technologically advanced, sustainable hospitals:
- Bringing nature in with 3.5 acres of healing gardens and outdoor play spaces, patios and overlooks, and large windows in each patient room for natural light.
- State-of-the-art surgical equipment that includes A hybrid operating room suite with advanced imaging technology that combines multiple procedures in one room to help achieve minimally invasive procedures with better precision, quicker surgeries and less time under anesthesia.
- New patient rooms with additional privacy and space for patients and their families; all of which include sleeping accommodations for two family members.
- Space and convenience for families such as dedicated lounges, laundry rooms and patient-family kitchens are available on each level to provide space and convenience for families to relay and take care of everyday tasks.
- Innovative sustainability features like water recovery for landscape irrigation, creative use of recycled and reclaimed local materials, and a unique external shading system to reduce the need for air conditioning.
- Flexible floor space that adapts to new technologies and provide more efficient services as our patients’ needs evolve.
Thoughtful facility design goes well beyond aesthetically pleasing space. Special investments by hospitals that prioritize sleeping space for two parents, natural light, quiet waiting areas, engaging playrooms, healing gardens, interactive art installations and music can advance in the healing process which can lead to better patient outcomes such as:
- Faster recovery times, with earlier discharge
- Better tolerance of pain
- Increased competence and confidence of caregivers who are more willing to seek help from health care providers
- Improved management of chronic illness with fewer rehospitalization and decreased use of the emergency department
- Higher employee engagement from hospital staff
- Possible cost savings and better overall outcomes for the patient and families!
What will happen to the current hospital, now known as the West building? Design plans are currently underway to renovate the existing Johnson Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Services, creating the Bay Area’s premier mother and baby center, including a brand-new postpartum unit and a redesign of the neonatal intensive care units. In addition, by the end of 2018 all obstetric postpartum beds will be converted into private rooms.
In addition, The Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases will stay in the West building while its future home on the fifth floor of the Main building is under construction. A new space dedicated to the Betty Irene Moore Children’s Outpatient Heart Center is also under construction on the Main building’s first floor. Both new centers are slated for completion in 2019.
Bigger isn’t always better, but we’re happy to say it’s true for the new Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
Don’t believe me? Check out the smile on our son’s face during the official ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 30. I can’t wait to see the future holds for the new hospital, our community, and our family!
