Nemours Hospital Designs Advanced Delivery Unit Like a Hotel

Nemours Children’s Health, a pediatric hospital located in Wilmington, Delaware, has unveiled its new Advanced Delivery Unit, a specialized facility designed to treat patients experiencing high-risk pregnancies. This unit deviates significantly from traditional sterile hospital environments, adopting a design philosophy inspired by boutique hotels to mitigate the stress and anxiety associated with complicated pregnancies. The goal is to create a more comfortable and less frightening experience for mothers and families during what can be a prolonged and emotionally challenging period.

Dr. Julie Moldenhauer, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Nemours Children’s Health, explained that the unit aims to counter the common perception of such critical care settings as "horrible ICU settings" or "lab spaces." Instead, the design fosters a "home away from home" atmosphere. The architectural firm Perkins&Will, based in Chicago, collaborated with Dr. Moldenhauer and her medical colleagues to conceptualize and implement the unit's design. This collaborative approach focused on minimizing psychological distress and accommodating the extended care—potentially weeks or months—that mothers and babies require both before and after birth. Laura Ethridge Morris, the lead designer from Perkins&Will and a specialist in healthcare interiors, noted that the experience is intended to feel more like "moving in" than a short hospital stay.

The Advanced Delivery Unit is equipped to manage pregnancies where fetuses have been diagnosed with anomalies that pose risks of birth defects, congenital diseases, or even mortality. The integration of hospitality practices is central to easing the psychological burden on mothers during the pre- and post-natal periods. Each room within the unit incorporates elements typically found in hotel accommodations, including spacious bathrooms, distinctive wall art, and large windows offering views of the Nemours estate. This estate, originally built in the early 1900s by the du Pont family, provides a serene backdrop. The design prioritizes the family's well-being, aiming to create a supportive and calming environment during a critical time. The unit's approach acknowledges that high-risk pregnancies often necessitate a longer duration of care than a typical birth, thus requiring an environment that supports extended stays with a focus on comfort and emotional support. The integration of these hotel-like amenities is intended to provide a sense of normalcy and dignity for patients facing significant medical challenges.