University of Florida Health Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
This project was completed in two phases resulting in the expansion and renovation of the Level – 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The project consisted of a total of 21,739 SF in renovations to the third floor, as well as the addition of a 2,200 sf mechanical room on the fourth floor. The first phase consisted of a renovation of a portion of the 11th floor that housed empty offices, to create a temporary level for the Level – 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This facility included a 20-bed nursery, as well as offices for the necessary nursing and support staff.
The new Level-3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit consisted of an open plan nursery containing fourteen patient beds, two private isolation rooms, two private ECMO rooms and four examination bed locations for a total of twenty-two patient beds. In addition, there are office facilities for Physicians, Nurse Managers, Nurse Practitioners, Social Services, On–call Physicians sleeping quarters and bath facilities, a conference room, and other staff facilities. A skylight is utilized to brighten the family waiting area and main entry into the facility.
In 2016, Ajax was contracted to perform additional renovations to the UF Health NICU. The renovation and expansion of the NICU assisted in supporting the continuing growth of the Children’s Hospital. Construction began in January of 2016 and completed in the Spring of 2017. The Unit’s expansion from approximately 12,600 SF to 21,500 SF, increased the number of beds from 52 to 68. The new NICU provides both Level II and Level III care and services. Four additional private rooms were added for the comfort of families with newborns receiving care, as well as a play area for siblings of the patients. In addition, a private area was constructed to monitor and care for infants with brain trauma. With an average of 60 babies in the NICU on a daily basis and treating more than 1,000 babies each year, construction in this busy, sensitive and critical area required careful daily coordination with hospital staff to ensure the safety of the patients and minimal disruption to hospital’s services.
sectors
Client
University of Florida Health (Shands)<
Location
Gainesville, FL
Architect
Flad & Associates
SF
29,367