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Reimagining the NICU: a human-centered design approach to healthcare innovation

Journal of Perinatology volume 43, pages 40–44 (2023)Cite this article

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Abstract

Design charettes have been utilized in architectural and design practice to generate innovative ideas. The Reimagining Workshop is a version that combines practical and blue-sky thinking to improve healthcare facility design. The workshop engages diverse stakeholders who follow a human-centered design framework. The Reimagining the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit workshop sought to generate ideas for the future, optimal NICU without specific site or client constraints. Key themes include family-centered care, technology-enabled care, neighborhood and village design and investing in the care team. Recommendations include a supportive physical environment, celebrating milestones, complementary and alternative medicine, enhancing the transition of care, aiding the transition period, and leveraging technology. The workshop showcased the potential for transformative change in NICU design and provided a roadmap for future advancements. These findings can inform regulatory standards for NICU design and drive improvements in family-centered care, patient experiences, and outcomes within the NICU environment.

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Fig. 1: A Timeline of the Evolution of Neonatal Environments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Planning+Strategies, Perkins&Will, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA

    Sabah Mohammed

  2. Mazzetti, Franklin, TN, 37067, USA

    Troy Savage

  3. Smith Hager Bajo, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ, 85259, USA

    Judy Smith

  4. Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Mardelle McCuskey Shepley

  5. Beacon Children’s Hospital, South Bend, IN, 46601, USA

    Robert D. White

Authors
  1. Sabah Mohammed
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  2. Troy Savage
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  3. Judy Smith
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  4. Mardelle McCuskey Shepley
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  5. Robert D. White
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Contributions

SM—collected the data, contributed the data and tools, performed the analysis, wrote the paper. TS—collected the data, contributed the data and tools, provided edits to the paper. JS—collected the data, contributed the data and tools, provided edits to the paper. Dr MMS—collected the data, conceived, and designed the analysis, provided edits to the paper. Dr RDW—collected the data, conceived, and designed the analysis, provided edits to the paper.

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Correspondence to Sabah Mohammed.

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Mohammed, S., Savage, T., Smith, J. et al. Reimagining the NICU: a human-centered design approach to healthcare innovation. J Perinatol 43 (Suppl 1), 40–44 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01794-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01794-2

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