The Providence Alaska Medical Center recognized the need for a specialized pediatric emergency space within their facility, leading to the creation of Children’s Emergency Care. This initiative marked the final phase of an ambitious six-phase project aimed at introducing 13 pediatric emergency beds to the hospital.
Emergency room visits can be daunting, especially for children. With this in mind, Providence envisioned an emergency space designed to alleviate anxiety, offering a reassuring environment for both young patients and their families. Nestled within the broader Emergency Department, the Children’s Emergency Care section boasts treatment rooms, nurse stations, dedicated family waiting spaces, and state-of-the-art equipment. The design shines a spotlight on vibrantly depicted native Alaskan animals, serving dual roles: providing wayfinding and offering cheerful distractions for young patients.
Our design process was a collaboration with child life specialists at Providence, parents, and the on-ground staff, we designed a space that melds a child-friendly ambiance with the demands of an emergency department. The end result is an environment that’s both efficient and nurturing. It’s a space where toddlers and teens alike feel at ease, and parents rest assured of the quality care their children will receive. This harmonized environment ensures critical supplies and equipment are always within reach, enabling caregivers to remain by the patient’s side.
A notable challenge was the space’s location, positioned deep within a bustling emergency department. However, innovative design solutions like the “Animal Parade”—a corridor adorned with the same animal motifs—offers a direct and engaging pathway from Triage to the Children’s Emergency Care.