Technology + Patient Comfort Drive Amenities at New Vermont Medical Facility

In response to growing demand, The University of Vermont Medical Center recently underwent an inpatient bed replacement. The newly built 4-story Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Building has 128 private rooms. Each room is 340 square feet and features a telemetry bed with enhanced monitoring capabilities, electronic white boards and interactive devices that allow patients to have more control over their surroundings. These private, technologically sophisticated rooms reduce the need for patient transfers, help with infection control and vastly improve the overall patient experience.

To increase thermal comfort and incorporate natural light into the space, the building uses dynamic electrochromic glass, which automatically adjusts the tint to control glare and reduce heat from the sun throughout the day. Patient rooms also feature space for family members, including a recliner with a pull-out couch. The floorplan is arranged so that the care team is in closer proximity to the patient rooms. Three care stations with computers, telephones, monitors and views of the patient boards are central to the layout, giving staff a place for collaboration.

The design team included E4H Environments for Health Architecture, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., LAM Lighting & Design and BR+A Environmental Consultants and SGH Engineering.

Photo courtesy of Jim Westphalen.