Case Stories

While innovative additions like a roller coaster and a zoo couldn’t fit into the layout, the hospital’s Youth Advisory Council recommended an interactive, playful environment that could make a hospital stay less scary. To keep functionality a top priority, the design team created spaces that comfort young patients and their families as well as deliver the durability demanded of a busy children’s care center.

Solution

The team used the unlimited design possibilities of Acrovyn by Design to transform the walls of the emergency department at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. Vibrant, colorful drawings created by local young people for a design contest are now showcased throughout the area. The high-resolution images, straight from a child’s imagination, entertain young patients, distracting and comforting them. Embedded behind impact-resistant, PVC-free rigid material, the art has its own protective shield that safeguards against damage while making cleaning easy.

Inside emergency department exam rooms, rolling medical equipment and beds can take a toll on walls. To eliminate this, high-quality Acrovyn wall panels were installed to create stunning headwalls. Matching corner guards were added to the hallways for a cohesive, calming look. With over 600 doors at the facility, FKP Architects selected C/S Acrovyn Doors to enhance the overall design. Due to their durability, Acrovyn Doors eliminate the need for kick plates and edge guards, contributing to the warm, yet highly functional environment.

“Our panel of children said the number one characteristic of new hospital designs should be to make it less scary,” said Kay Holbrook, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Associate Administrator, Nemours/ Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. “We focus on the health of our young patients by delivering high-quality, clinical care. But just as important is the environment in which we provide that care. Children are welcome to touch the bright, colorful wall art that was designed by their peers, not adults. The hospital’s environment helps our patients feel safe and offers diversion as we help them heal.”