Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia To Open New Outpatient Facility
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The first phase of a unique pediatric outpatient facility, with a goal to help make appointments less scary for the kids, is set to open this Monday.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care is a 12-story building located across the street from the main hospital.
It resembles more of a luxury hotel and kid's museum than healthcare facility.
After an electronic check-in, patients get a pager and can explore the interactive exhibits or enjoy the outdoor or rooftop gardens while waiting for appointments.
"And it actually distract them for what could be a very stress full day when going to a health care facility," says Tomas Dole Senior Vice president of Outpatient and Clinical Services at CHOP.
"Essentially everything will be in this one building. All the parking it's very convenient they can come up in the building, see every type of specialist there is every ancillary service there in the building. It's very convenient for patients and families, but also very efficiently designed for the staff."
"This building has got to live long and beyond all of us who planned it. So we thought well into the future and we ask everyone who provided input to think way outside the box."
The interior will continued to be worked on over the next three years, but ear, nose and throat patients will be the first to be cared for in the new facility starting Monday.