This project involved significant expansion and renovation of the Surgical Services area of this world-renowned hospital. Because of growing demands created by the increased volume of surgical cases; the growing market demand for outpatient surgery; and the need to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service component of the hospital’s surgical service, particularly for outpatients, new operating rooms were constructed and other surgical areas renovated and upgraded. Outpatient Surgery, the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), and the additional support areas of surgical services directly related to patient volume in the operating rooms also were expanded.

New space for presurgical patient assessment and education was created, contributing to the efficiency of pre- and postoperative care. The project entailed the construction of a new PACU/recovery area, a two-room Endoscopy suite, and two short/minor procedure rooms. A new Blood Bank and a Satellite Pharmacy were constructed. A new Anesthesia/Critical Care/Surgery Physician Office complex also was constructed, relocating this nonessential office space to another area of the hospital. Thus, new operating rooms could be constructed in a contiguous fashion. New pre- and postoperative parent/family waiting areas were designed to provide comfortable space for children and families. To ensure confidentiality and privacy, two consultation rooms were constructed for family/surgeon communications.

As a critical care facility, the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days per week. There were no interruptions in patient care or Surgical Services’ operational activities during the span of the construction project. Relocation was a prerequisite to construction, and the project was planned and completed in five consecutive phases.

The design solution resulted in a Surgical Services area that is efficient, spacious, comfortable, and family-focused. Ultimately, it supports the hospital’s long-range goal of providing excellence in surgical care for children of the region and beyond.

Project category: Remodel/Renovaton (completed November 2002)

Chief administrator: Thomas P. Ferry, Administrator/Chief Executive, (302) 651-6902

Firms: Moeckel Carbonell Associates, Inc., (302) 571-0840; Balongue Design, Inc., (610) 525-7593; Skanska USA Building, Inc. (267) 470-1000

Design team: Peter H. Jennings, AIA, Principal-in-Charge; Douglas A. Eriksen, AIA, Project Architect (Moeckel Carbonell Associates, Inc.); Barbara Balongue, President (Balongue Design, Inc.); Lyle Frederick, Senior Vice-President (Skanska USA Building, Inc.)

Photography: Barry Halkin, Barry Halkin Photography

Total building area (GSF): 103,500

Construction cost/sq. ft.: $126

Total cost (excluding land): $13,000,000