Miami's Niklaus Children's welcomed patients into its new $150 million six-story tower Thursday, the system announced. Care staff helped transition patients from their quarters in the hospital's three intensive care units and its hematology-oncology and neurology-neurosurgery units to their new rooms.
189 of the hospital's 289 beds have been relocated to the new tower, called the Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion, from several different units, including the cardiac ICU, pediatric ICU, neonatal ICU, neurology-neurosurgery unit, and hematology-oncology unit.
The new tower boasts spacious, family-centered patient rooms with fold-out double beds, closet space and private baths and family spaces for relaxation and fun interaction decorated by the artwork of Florida photographers. It houses an intraoperative MRI to support the care of children who face surgery for brain tumors or medically-resistant epilepsy and other treatment technologies, as well as electronic touchscreens signs outside patient rooms detailing important care information and a mobile app the facilitates staff communication.
The tower was part of a bigger expansion project that broke ground five years ago and included a new emergency department and trauma center, according to hospital spokesperson Rachel Perry. That was the initial phase of the project. Critical departments of radiology and laboratory were also relocated within the hospital, requiring additional construction. Another existing building was torn down, and much site work had to be done before construction of the tower could begin.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital is part of Miami Children's Health System, and is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children. It staffs more than 740 attending physicians and over 220 pediatric sub-specialists. It is home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States, the system said in a statement.
"This move is a major milestone for our organization," said Dr. Narendra Kini, CEO of Miami Children's Health System, parent organization of Nicklaus Children's Hospital. "We now offer one of the most technically advanced care spaces in the world, consistent with the excellence of our clinicians. Equally, we have created a care setting that is supportive of families of children with critical illnesses, affording them privacy and more home-like comforts."
Twitter: @BethJSanborn