The planning and designing of the new Children's Hospital of New York was a process involving over 250 physicians, nurses, managers, support staff, and family members. The primary principles which
emerged were to:

• Provide unmatched family-centered care amenities;

• Maximize patient privacy;

• Integrate play and child life throughout the facility;

• Zone the facility to separate sick children from well children;

• Minimize internal patient transport and simplify steps in all patient processes;

• Education and advocacy by : Developing all waiting areas as places for education, including video education; Designing a family health library and education center; Offering school, group, and pre-admission tours; Incorporating comprehensive discharge education.

The NICU
The new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will vastly improve the conditions under which care is provided to premature babies and their families. The highly specialized NICU staff will now practice in an environment which is truly supportive of their groundbreaking work.

The innovative design provides significantly more space for clinicians at the bedside as well as important family support amenities and privacy for families during this extremely stressful time. A generous Isolation Suite, Procedure Room, and ECMO stations ensure that all neonates can be treated on this floor with minimal transfers.

Family members and friends will be greeted on the floor in a spacious Family Support Lounge, which faces the Garden Courtyard.