February 10, 2009

Designed by FKP Architects, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at CHOC Children’s Hospital has received the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This is the first pediatric unit in the nation to be recognized with the award, which honors extraordinary commitment to high-quality critical care standards and dedication to the exceptional care of patients and their families. The project will now serve as a beacon for other hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Beacon Award recipients are measured for success against national evidence-based criteria including recruitment and retention; education, training and mentoring; research and evidence-based practice; patient outcomes; leadership and organization ethics; and healing environment.

To enhance safety and quality patient care, FKP designed the 30-bed PICU with all private rooms that include family sleeping accommodations. Nursing work alcoves between pairs of rooms position care givers closer to patients, and sliding glass room doors provide convenient, direct observation of these critical patients.

The project team included FKP Architects, prime/design architect; WBS Architects, associate architect; TMAD/Taylor & Gaines, structural engineer; Thompson Engineering, civil engineer; TMAD, MEP engineer; Inventure Design, interior design and Equipment Collaborative, equipment planner.

For more information about CHOC Children's, visit www.choc.org.

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