Cincinnati Children's Hospital Liberty Campus just got Bigger and Better!
Last week, I was honored to be invited to see the newly expanded Cincinnati Children's Hospital Liberty Campus. Orginally opened in 2008, Children's Hospital Liberty serves over 200,000 patients a year. Wow!
I've visited this location with my own kids, and it was great to go on a tour to see all that are doing to improve patient care and hospital stays for families. Previously, they did not have the capability to allow patients to stay overnight. Now, they have the ability to register in-patients instead of transferring them to the main Cincinnati Children's Hospital campus downtown. This is a welcome change for families who live closer to Liberty Township.
Our tour mainly focused on the 4th floor where they will treat patients with cancer and blood disorders. For families that have a child who needs treatment, they will find larger treatment rooms with sleeper couches and so many clever room advances to make their stays more comfortable. One simple change, is having a small "pass through" locked medication door whereby medicines can be placed for the nurse without having to enter the patient's room. Then the nurse can access the medications when the time is right. Another simple yet efficient improvement, is having a trash shute that allows trash to be emptied from outside of the room so that patients aren't disturbed.
Patient room - note the sleeping couch by window, the center insert converts to a table.
Patient viewing area, the blinds can be opened and closed from here - two rooms are able to be viewed. Notice the boxes - these are the pass through locked medication doors.
Medical staff also have the ability to look in on patients from outside the room so they can do a quick visual check on their patient with minimal disruption to the family. There are big screen televisions in every room with cameras in case they need to have another specialists opinion on treatment. They can connect with the main campus and the doctor or nurse can see and talk to the paient and family remotely. Telemedicine capabilities allow the care team and doctors to communicate directly with specialists at the main hospital downtown and can provide improved care through “in-person” consultation.
The expanded room size allows patients to have their Mom or Dad stay in the room with them without being in "cramped quarters". There is plenty of storage, a huge walk in bathroom with a shower and big windows so you can have some direct sunlight in your room.
I loved walking through the hallways. They are brightly painted and filled with artwork from professional artists and local children from Independence Elementary. They worked in collaboration with Cincinnati Children’s, Kolar Design and the ArtWorks organization and painting and watercolor workshops were also held with patients and staff from Cincinnati Children’s. Seeing these young artists art on display is inspiring. The new floors also have themes so as you walk thorugh the 4th floor you will notice a "universe" theme with stars, planets and constellations featured throughout. Look at the nurses station to see the "night skies" and make sure you look up at the ceiling. The first floor theme is "earth", the second floor is "water" and the third floor is "sky".
Waiting room areas are open and airy and filled with plenty of comfortable seating options. There is even a waiting area that has gaming options for kids. There are also family resource rooms where in-patient families can take a break. The new onsite cafeteria is also filled with healthy dining choices and has both indoor and outdoor seating.
4th Floor Waiting Room
New cafe - with fresh salad bar!
Dining Room
One of the most exciting things happening at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Liberty is the construction of the 90,000 square feed Proton Therapy Center. Here, innovative and advanced proton cancer treatments will be available as well as the ability to do cancer research. Look for this exciting improvement to be completed in 2017.
Chapel/Peace Place
Other services include an onsite pharmacy, gift shop, chapel/peace place, private rooms for breastfeeding, after hours urgent care and 24 hour emergencey department, a visitor management service with a a Protective Service officer available 24/7 to assist visitors entering the inpatient unit, and more.
Thank you to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for putting patients and families first and for continually improving patient care.
Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus 7777 Yankee Road Liberty Township, OH 45044 513-803-9600
