FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Michael Beauchat, 513-585-4900
January 11, 2010 Michael.Beauchat@TheChristHospital.com
The Christ Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit Earns Design Award
Recognizes Efficiency and Creativity in Healing Environments
Cincinnati - The Christ Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has received the 2010
ICU Design Citation Award, presented by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the American
Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Institute of Architects Academy on
Architecture for Health. The award recognizes ICU designs that create a healing environment,
promote safety and security, foster efficiency, and have innovative and creative design features.
“The advanced technology and comfort features in the new MICU are helping us to
provide an unmatched level of care for critically ill patients,” said Amy Shaw, R.N., B.S.N.,
clinical manager, MICU. “The design has helped our caregivers become more efficient and
connected to each patient, while giving families more opportunities to be close to their loved
ones.”
The renovated MICU, which opened in February 2009, was designed by Champlin
Architecture with input from a team of Christ Hospital physicians, nurses and administrators.
The 20-bed unit was built with an open floor plan that allows nurses to maintain visual contact
with patients while they utilize both centralized and decentralized work areas. It also supports a
family-centered care environment that encourages families to stay with their loved ones more
comfortably and to provide more social support.
“The success of the unit came through the collaboration of many different areas of
expertise and addresses the functional needs of the staff, patients and families,” said Brian K.
Danyi, AIA, LEED AP, Project Architect, Champlin Architecture. “By translating the latest
technology and the needs of the patient into the aesthetic character of the space, we created an
environment that enhances wellness and recovery.”
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The MICU features:
Decentralized nursing alcoves with monitoring equipment both inside and outside
patient rooms.
Moveable equipment booms suspended from ceilings that allow medical gases, code
buttons, monitoring equipment, electrical outlets, exam lights and nurse call buttons to
be configured based on the acuity of each patient’s needs.
24/7 remote monitoring of each patient by specially trained physicians and critical care
nurses through The Christ Hospital’s exclusive eICU program, Critical Connections.
A pneumatic tube system to allow employees to more easily transport items to and from
the clinical lab, pharmacy and other areas.
A family center at the entrance of the unit with a relaxation room, nutrition room,
shower, resource library with Internet access and lockers.
The MICU was specially decorated with wood grains, natural colors and arched lines to
have a calming effect, which can enhance the healing process. Wood grain curves in the floor
call attention to nursing stations along the corridor, while curves in the ceiling soffits and floor
patterns help divide patient rooms into nursing zones, patient zones and family zones. The unit
also offers spectacular views of Cincinnati.
The Christ Hospital is a 555-bed, not-for-profit acute care facility, offering services in
cardiovascular care, spine treatment, women’s health, major surgery, cancer, behavioral
medicine, orthopedics, emergency care, kidney transplant and others. The hospital also offers
The Christ Hospital Medical Associates, a primary care physician practice with several office
locations throughout the Tristate. The Christ Hospital is consistently recognized by U.S. News
& World Report as one of the nation’s top hospitals, and has been named Cincinnati’s Most
Preferred Hospital for 14 consecutive years by National Research Corporation (NRC). For more
information about The Christ Hospital, visit www.TheChristHospital.com.
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