- Re-development of a leading ICU facility with 45 beds
- The building was designed to managed the risk of hospital-aquired infection whilst encouraging staff and patient well-being.
The facility is regarded as one of Australia’s leading ICUs, with a unique and complex case mix. It is Victoria’s main burns treatment centre, providing care for patients of heart and lung transplantation, artificial heart technology, adult cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, adult trauma, HIV and bone marrow transplantation.
In its first six months of operation Alfred Hospital ICU treated patients from Victoria’s 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and people suffering the severe effects of the H1N1 virus (swine flu).
The new ICU is designed to have 45 beds and caters to approximately 2,000 patients a year. Internally, the ICU is designed around three pods: general, trauma and cardiac. It includes four class N negative pressure isolation rooms, four Class P positive pressure isolation rooms, a number of notionally-negative pressure enclosed rooms and open bays.
As part of the early design process, Arup – whose services on the project included all mechanical, electrical, fire and hydraulic services – and other members of the design team conducted tours of recently completed ICUs around Australia. Arup also developed benchmarks based on international best practice, including the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the firm's experience in the USA and UK.
In consultation with the Alfred Hospital and staff, the following design drivers were identified and addressed in the final building, which was officially opened in November 2008.
- The ongoing management of the risk of aspergillus spores.
- The ongoing management of hospital acquired infection.
- Providing good indoor air quality.
- The introduction of natural light for each bed and circulation areas.
- Plan 45 beds, arranged into pods.
- Provide good observation of patient cubicles.
- Finished to provide less clinical feel.
- High resilience and reliability.
- Improved maintenance access.
The end result is a world-class, exemplar healthcare facility that has received favourable feedback from staff and visitors and provides outstanding care for its many patients.
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