High-level NICU opens in Washington, D.C.

Design to the highest distinction available by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the new Level IIIC neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C., is equipped to care for the sickest premature babies, including those that require open-heart surgery. The 54-bed facility, designed by Karlsberger with KLMK Group as space planner, is four times larger than the medical center's existing space and will be able to accommodate more than 800 patients annually. Karlsberger consulted with patients' families during the design phase, which led to the inclusion of a parent area in each room with storage at each bedside, refrigerators for breast milk, and recliner chairs.

Other members of the Building Team include MEP engineer Leach Wallace, construction manager HITT Contracting, and Smith Seckman Reid, which provided technology and systems design.