Holistic health care, family and fun informed the design principles for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
“You’re doing more than just treating and healing,” in pediatric facilities, according to Kristin Ledet of the Houston-based architecture firm FKP. These spaces must also engage, delight and provide fun, while meeting the special needs of children and families dealing with medical issues.
Also, pediatric facilities have to stock a variety of sizes of medical equipment and other items used for patient care. Bed storage, for example, must handle everything from isolettes to adult-sized beds.
Family support spaces also are essential. In the inpatient environment, this can mean family respite or education areas on the patient unit and amenities within the patient room that support parent and siblings.