Challenge:

Children’s Mercy Kansas City identified a critical need for inpatient space that meets both medical-surgical requirements and behavioral health safety standards. Traditional med-surg rooms contain numerous ligature risks and design elements that are incompatible with behavioral health compliance, creating a significant need to serve this patient population.

Solution:

Pulse Design Group transformed the 15,600 SF 5th floor of the West Tower into a state-of-the-art inpatient unit that balances clinical functionality with behavioral health compliance. The new unit features 18 patient rooms, an activity room, group and private therapy spaces, and staff support areas, all designed to enhance visibility, controlled access, and circulation. Every element of the patient rooms was reconfigured to reduce safety risks while maintaining the functionality and comfort required for medical-surgical care, including secure badge-access storage integrated into casework and dual-entry doors with outward emergency release for staff safety. The resulting environment provides Children’s Mercy Hospital with a safe, therapeutic, and highly adaptable unit that elevates care for pediatric patients with medical and behavioral health complexities.