Delaware hospital unveils plans for $260M women and children's health building

Christiana Care Health System unveiled plans Thursday for a $260 million building devoted to women and children’s health at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del.

“This important investment in our community will advance the most innovative, high-quality, comprehensive specialty care for women, children and babies,” said Dr. Janice E. Nevin, the health system’s president and CEO.

The proposed eight-story building will include:

• A new neonatal intensive care unit featuring private rooms with sleep-in space for families;
• New and expanded labor and delivery suites;
• Private rooms for families after delivery;
• An expanded triage area;
• A new labor lounge;
• Separate admitting and discharge areas; and
• A continuing care nursery for babies with newborn jaundice, feeding challenges, neonatal abstinence syndrome and other health problems.

The project also calls for a four-level parking garage near the hospital’s main entrance for patients and visitors, and a new employee parking deck behind Christiana Hospital.

Christiana Care presented the project to the Delaware Health Resources Board Thursday as part of the state’s Certificate of Public Review process. The health system plans to break ground on the project in April 2017, with completion expected in 2020. The project includes both new construction and renovation of existing facilities within the current women and children’s building, which opened in 1995.

Last year, more than 6,450 babies were born at Christiana Hospital — an average of more than 17 births each day – making it among the busiest maternity centers on the East Coast.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal