The former ICU patient cubicles, privacy level, nursing station and support areas were outdated and insufficient to serve an increasing acuity level within the ICU. This 7,000 square foot renovation is designed to alleviate these deficiencies. The renovated and expanded unit is approximately double in size and contains 8 regular ICU patient rooms and 1 isolation room. The former cubicles were 90 sf, and lacked direct access to day light. The new patient rooms are 200 sf and each have a window overlooking the Catskill Mountains. The organization of the unit is based on the AIA 2006 Health Care Guidelines which allowed, for the first time, decentralized nursing. There is a dedicated satellite nurse station between each pair of rooms.  The overall unit is reorganized around a central support core and provides additional amenities for visitor waiting, staff and physicians.

Close collaboration between our office and the Columbia Memorial Hospital staff has resulted in a design that will greatly improve staff efficiency, patient care and accommodation.