The new Cardiac Pavilion at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset campus, is complete. Phase I included a centralized main nurse station (pictured) and hospitality-centered patient rooms. The design intent included improved work flow and efficiency, patient healing and convenience, and wayfinding for families and patients alike. The 4 phase Master Plan Renovation is slated for completion end of year 2020.
Nurse Station
The initial phase of the 2nd & 3rd floor renovations at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset, located in Somerville New Jersey, has completed after 10 months of construction. The RWJ Somerset campus, an affiliate of the Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health System, began construction on their Master Plan renovation in January 2018. Phase I kicked off the Cardiac Pavilion relocation and renovation with an upgrade to the 2nd floor Inpatient Cardiac Unit. The subsequent four phases are slated to be complete by end of year, 2020. Renovations to the second floor will unify the existing inpatient and outpatient cardiology programs, creating a state-of-the-art Cardiology Unit, improving upon clinical work flow and enhancing wayfinding for the patient and visitor experience. Construction to the 15,000 sq.ft. suite occurred while adjoining floors were fully operational, posing the challenge to diminish disruption to clinical flow, patient care and environmental safety. The renovation presented several design challenges as well due to the confines of the existing structure. The new space plan had to accommodate clinical process while remaining cognizant that later phases would mimic the same design in order to create a cohesive flow.
Patient Room
It was important for the new aesthetic to take cues on the overarching Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas brand while still reflecting its community hospital roots. The design intent was to create a palette that offers a clean, modern aesthetic that deinstitutionalizes the unit while cohesively melding elements of the more traditional surrounding public spaces. Working closely with the end users to achieve a comprehensive design, the design team incorporated interactive mock ups and scenario-based walkthroughs of the upgraded patient rooms to maximize staff efficiency and function as well as patient comfort and safety. Patient rooms utilize thoughtful, minimal details to create a serene healing environment. Customized modular headwalls with patient-controlled amenities and discrete guest seating maximizes the organization of the constricted patient spaces to optimize clinical flow and improve the patient experience.
Nurse Work Station
A dynamic floor pattern, combined with landmark focal ceilings at clinical work stations, allows ambulating patients and visitors to navigate throughout the unit. Within the work-core, the main staff areas were designed to allow for unobstructed communication among staff and with visitors. The main nurse station and decentralized charting areas offer flexible workspaces with integrated storage and unified patient monitoring systems for improved staff response. Modern technologies merged with thoughtfully designed staff work areas allow for a more productive and efficient work environment, as well as holistic patient treatment.
Our partners on this project include NK Architects, LKU Group Engineering, Best Health Planning, Madison Art Consulting and O.A. Peterson Construction. Photographer, Jeffrey Totaro.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Somerset Campus | Planning + Interior Design Services | 15,000 Sq Ft