suggestions for new unit?

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Hi all. We are in the early planning stages for a new women's hospital/birthing center. Anyone have any wonderful ideas for things to include or not include? Experience is usually the best advisor....Gail

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I have found whirlpool or birth tubs rate "up there" with patients/family, but staff sometimes hate them cause of the upkeep/maintanence. I say they are worth it. You build it, they will come! A jacuzzi in each room is ideal, but if not doable at least have a couple on the unit....

A staff shower is essential, too. In their locker room, have a shower. Sometimes, we get MIGHTY dirty working and would like to shower before leaving the unit. You can certainly understand that.

A nurses' station that protects patient's privacy/follows HIPAA regulations is essential. Computers/charts must be kept out of reach/sight of prying eyes.......also ergonomic chairs PLEEEEASE!!! Spending upwards of 13 hours on my feet, when I do sit to chart, I need a chair that supports me a bit. It's worth it!

In the rooms themselves, have a scrub sink/prep "ante area" if possible. Trying to clean up and whatnot is hard for doctors/nurses in the room, itself, esp when its crowded with visitors and equipment. Also, having equipment that is actually stored in an alcove or closet (like ringstand/basin, doctor's table, warmer) is GREAT---very convenient.Of course, this works best in the LDR (not LDRP) setup. I have no idea where you guys will be there----do you plan LDR and MBU or LDRP???? That makes a bit of difference in room design.

Please please please have comfortable pull out beds/sofas for s/o! A reclining rocker, also. It makes such a difference for the families, believe me.

Make sure your visitor's area is comfortable and near (if possible) some food source, even if they are candy/soda machines. (our visitors have to go 4 floors down to find candy/soda machines and the cafeteria, I think that stinks). Make sure a phone is in there for local calls, so they don't come bugging nurses at the station to use phones, if you can.

Bring nurses/midwives/doctors in on the design process, if at all possible. Have the people who will ACTUALLY WORK THERE give input as to the amenities/comforts/practicalilties of the unit. How many poorly-designed units do you see that had NO input from nurses at all as to their set-up????? they can address the above, PLUS security measures intelligently and practically. You won't regret their input.

Just a few ideas. HTH.

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We just opened our new unit last fall. It is a level III unit, with antepartum, postpartum, and L&D wings. The families love the small fridge, vcr/dvd/stereo players. There is a sofa/day bed for the dads. The rooms are large to accomodate the multiple family members. The bathrooms are all large enough for easy wheelchair access to the toilet, and jacousi tubs in most rooms. In the antepartum wing, there is a room with washer/dryer and kitchenette for the families to use. The triage area has only 3 separate rooms, and we should have put in 5-6 for the volume of patients we see.

In L&D, the closet holds the IV poles and delivery carts stocked with supplies needed in a typical labor/delivery. There is an alcove for the radiant warmer in each room with its own separate O2/suction and emergency call button for the NICU to come running in a code. There is internet access in the rooms as well. We should have put in more cell phone signal wires in the the structure of the building as there are many dead spaces where the cells don't work (frustrating for families and doctors). The light drops from the ceiling (but is about 2 inches too high for any nurses to pull down/replace. Linen/garbage containers are in a cupboard with easy access (just open the doors and roll them out.

Post-partum has special sinks that are shaped into a baby bath, so the baths are done in the room. (Corian counters, I think). That is all I can think of for now. We did pay for the bidet things, but they have never been used.

We have quiet family waiting rooms and a big busy one with TV, toys for the kids, kitchenette, and bathroom. We should have put an ice machine with easy access to the families. Ours are all in our locked rooms with the meds/supplies. Dumb!

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

I'm a student in a newer facility. They have a shower that can hold the entire extended family, but no tub. From a patient's point of view - I loved laboring in the tub. It's a big draw for some hospitals.

I also like the idea of a sink with one sloping side for bathing the baby...

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From a patients perspective please No "Cow rooms", where you park three to four of us cows in one room to find out if we are really in labor before giving us a room of our own.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

We triage our patients in our private LDRP rooms, so there is no such thing as a "cow room" where I am. Must be a larger hospital thing????

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We triage our patients in our private LDRP rooms, so there is no such thing as a "cow room" where I am. Must be a larger hospital thing????

Wher ru located I hope near by so when I decide to have a third I can go to yoyr hospital! :p

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

In Washington State.......

far, far away from NH unfortunately.

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In Washington State.......

far, far away from NH unfortunately.

I am sooo sad now. We need somethign like what u have around here. :crying2:

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

for me, LDRP is the only way to go. but it generally only is used and works best in smaller community hospitals, not high-volume delivery units.

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I don't know if what we have is considered a high volume L&D. It has 12 beds.

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How many poorly-designed units do you see that had NO input from nurses at all as to their set-up????? they can address the above, PLUS security measures intelligently and practically. You won't regret their input.

All are great ideas--I've scribbled them down in our "suggestion" notebook--one of the first steps in the process. They're asking for input and ideas...I sure hope they consider them. Last time, they spent tons of money on bathrooms, then, when we got to see them, they had installed "Pediatric" tubs and fixtures--a gestationally mature mom has trouble fitting into a regular adult tub--not to mention a pediatric one! Thanks! Gail

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