Waukesha Memorial Hospital NICU & LDRP

RTM provided engineering design and commissioning services for the re-imagining of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Labor, Delivery, Recovery, & Postpartum (LDRP) department within Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Scope included renovating the existing Level III NICU to provide private patient rooms, and a building addition to create a central cesarean section suite. The multi-phased project required strategic collaboration between RTM, EUA, ProHealth Care, and the construction manager.

New features of the NICU & LDRP include:

• 16 patient rooms, with three rooms for twins
• Two patient isolation rooms with features to protect against airborne contagions
• Lighting and noise control within each room to evoke feelings of joy and calm
• Webcams to allow family member to observe their babies remotely
• A family lounge with a kitchenette and private showers
• Two new C-section surgical suites

The construction phase began with renovation of the department entry, followed by the construction of the new addition for the C-section suite. To care for the vulnerable NICU patient population, a temporary NICU was constructed in the labor and delivery unit, which will be the future home of the nursery and will also be available for NICU use for emergency situations. The final phase of the project renovated and expanded the existing NICU to private patient rooms, including accommodations for twins and triplets.

The project team engaged ProHealth Care in a collaborative visioning process to establish the project goals and design approach. Using the concept of “hygge” (light, joy, and warmth), the team developed a new aesthetic for the department to bring comfort and a sense of calm to patients and families.

One unique feature of the project is the prominent hand washing sink with a lit shelf above it at the entry to the NICU. The light normally glows white, however when water flows from the touchless faucet the lit shelf goes into a color changing mode for 20 seconds before returning back to white light, indicating the recommended minimum time to wash your hands.