The University of Kansas Hospital Cambridge Tower A: An Overview
The University of Kansas Hospital has consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing world-class care and advancing academic medicine. This dedication is exemplified by the construction and recent enhancements to Cambridge Tower A, a facility designed to meet the evolving needs of patients, families, and healthcare professionals. This article provides an in-depth look at Cambridge Tower A, highlighting its features, specialized care units, and contributions to the future of healthcare.
Expansion and Strategic Planning
Responding to increased patient volumes, the introduction of new service lines, and a growing market share, The University of Kansas Hospital (TUKH) initiated an ambitious master plan. This plan included the construction of a new inpatient hospital at the heart of its Kansas City campus, with Cambridge Tower A representing the first phase. Cambridge Tower A stands as an 11-story inpatient tower, adding 220 beds to the hospital's capacity and expanding the campus footprint. The tower signifies years of strategic planning, the hard work of dedicated individuals, and the generous support of donors and employees.
Focus on Specialized Care
Cambridge Tower A is home to a range of specialties, including surgical oncology, neuroscience, and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practices. The majority of the tower is dedicated to inpatient spaces for surgical oncology, neurosurgery, and neurology.
A significant portion of Cambridge Tower A is dedicated to cancer care, with three floors specifically designed for patients with blood cancers. The design of this 100-bed unit prioritizes the safety and well-being of these vulnerable patients, as well as their families. Recognizing that patients may spend extended periods within the unit, every aspect - from patient rooms to staff areas - was carefully considered with empathy and thoughtfulness.
Advanced Cancer Care Units
In December 2021, levels 8, 9, and 10 of Cambridge Tower A opened, adding 100 patient rooms, with 84 beds specifically for cancer care. Levels 9 and 10 are dedicated to patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. According to Joseph McGuirk, DO, division director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics and medical director of blood and marrow transplant, the staff on these floors, including nursing, laboratory personnel, and physicians, are highly specialized.
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These floors feature a unique air handling and filtration system, with a positive airflow ventilation system on all three floors to protect patients from contaminants. To further minimize the risk of contamination, everyone entering the unit must pass through an airlock system and follow specific procedures.
To facilitate communication and collaboration, doctors, nurses, social workers, discharge planners, and research personnel are located in a central team center within the unit, rather than isolated in hallway offices.
Holistic Care Environment
The expansion of Cambridge Tower A aims to create a holistic care experience, particularly important for patients undergoing immunotherapy treatments such as blood and marrow transplant (BMT) and cellular therapy for hematologic malignancies (HMCT), which often require extended hospital stays. BMT is used to treat patients with blood cancers and disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and sickle cell disease. The new space is designed to provide serenity, convenience, and beauty, making the long stays of cancer patients more comfortable.
Dr. McGuirk emphasizes the importance of a peaceful and relaxing environment for patients and families during stressful times, stating that it allows them to release stress.
Design and Features
From its conception, Cambridge Tower A was designed with sustainability in mind. The building's elements are flexible, adaptable, and expandable, allowing it to evolve with future changes in healthcare, technology, and processes.
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The architectural design of the tower features a "double-bent bar" shape, primarily dictated by the need for staff visualization within the units. A key feature of the cancer care unit is a walking trail that loops around the perimeter of the floor, passing by all communal areas. A lighted wall guides patients along the hallway, with the lights changing to reflect the seasons, time of day, or special events, providing a sense of novelty for patients receiving care for weeks.
The tower includes a wide-open, three-story vertical public space that welcomes visitors upon exiting the elevator. The linear design of the hospital allows for future expansion, with land already purchased to create a linear path for growth.
The new tower also includes a floor committed to interventional radiology, with a brand new CT scan machine, MRI, and two biplane imaging systems.
Collaboration and Expertise
The development of Cambridge Tower A involved close collaboration between physicians, nurses, staff members, and architects. This collaboration ensured that the space was designed to optimize patient outcomes and satisfaction while also maximizing efficiency for healthcare providers. Henderson, the health system’s primary provider of fire and life safety services for more than a decade, played a crucial role in helping the University complete the joint commission extension survey.
Furniture and Interior Design
The design team supplied furniture throughout the building, including the main lobby, patient rooms, waiting rooms, training rooms, and other public spaces such as the café. Featured products included those from Herman Miller, Nemschoff, Martin Brattrud, Wieland, SitOnIt, and KI.
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Sunderland Foundation Support
The Sunderland Foundation has been a significant supporter of The University of Kansas Health System, investing in the hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics teams. Charlie Sunderland, who served on the health system board of directors for many years, noted the foundation's commitment to supporting the health system's role as a national leader in this important therapy.
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