Wellington Hospital
ICU Additional Beds
This project was to enable to expansion of bed numbers in the Wellington Intensive Care Unit. An additional 6 bed spaces were required with the associated and the additional clinical support space. In order to expand the clinical space enabling projects were required including the relocation of the existing RMO suite into a new location in the CSB. This project was challenging as at all times the beds in the existing ICU needed to remain operational and disruption kept to a minimum.
Scope Requirements
- 6-8 ICU bedspaces – AHFG target area 24m2 for ICU Patient Bay Critical Care
- Staff Base and clinical support
- Increased equipment storage
- Increased consumables storage
- Patient amenities
- Reallocate respiratory clean space – to tech space or consumable storage – within existing unit.
- Provide glazed sliding doors around selected bays
- Alteration to existing meds room to accommodate pyxsis and increase visibility
Administrative and support space
- New RMO Lounge and sleeping quarters
- Staff Tea Room
- Conference / handover room
- Offices including, CNM, SMO and RMO offices Clinical Director Office -9sqm
- Interview Room -12m2
- Staff change, lockers and amenities
This project was divided into the highly complex clinical ICU bed spaces and also the equally important staff support spaces including the RMO lounge, sleeping quarters and workspaces for clinicians who need a space to quietly work and have the opportunity to rest and recover. The area we had available had limited natural light but we applied many other of the other wellness in design principles that we utilise to enhance a space including ergonomic furnishings, creativity within the interior design scheme and attention to lighting and indoor air quality. Klein are the leading specialists in mental health design in the country and we apply the concepts of wellness and healing environments into other aspects of our work including workspaces and staff support zones such as RMO lounges. The benefit of this knowledge is that even the spaces that are not highly clinical get the attention they deserve and provide a place of respite for the clinical teams. This is critical at this time where workforce wellbeing and retention within clinical teams is paramount.
Integrated Design Process
Klein’s collaborative approach to design is to encourage members of a project team, including engineers, contractors, other subject matter experts, and owners, to work together from the earliest stages of design through to construction and operation. The goal of the integrated design process is to create more efficient, flexible, and fit for purpose buildings Given the acuity of the patients within the clinical space of this project utmost attention needed to be made to planning and staging of all works. The establishment of a planned enabling works package that included the RMO lounge and sleeping quarters first, allowed for the subsequent fit out of the area as clinical expansion. Excellent coordination and communication was required right from the outset to having a strong presence on site and regular communication with contractors. Working in an operational environment is always challenging, but in a highly acute zone such as ICU where the most unwell patients are it is critical that planning and efficiency is exceptional to minimise disruption.
Building Information Modelling (BIM)
BIM provides a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building that allows Klein and other members of the project team to visualise, analyse, and simulate building design and performance. BIM has been shown to improve design accuracy, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration and communication among team members. With BIM, we have already seen significant improvement in coordination and collaboration with consultants allowing for more time to be spent perfecting design and attention to detail.