After spending some time in the new women’s and children’s addition at our local hospital to care for my 6-year-old’s broken arm this past summer, I related to a friend how my daughter’s favorite part was the building’s glass elevator. In fact, the elevator provided a good deal of entertainment during our initial overnight stay, following a minor operation, and subsequent after-care appointments.
Ironically, this same friend had also given birth in the new facility. Apparently, she was being transferred to a delivery room during the latter stages of labor—via that same glass elevator—and was not shy about expressing her opinion at the time.
“I refuse to give birth in a glass elevator! Get me out of here!” she had exclaimed to her husband and the orderly who were doing their best to suppress a smile. “Can someone please tell me what man decided to design a glass elevator in a maternity ward?!?”
Funny how that thought never occurred to me while my daughter was taking “joy rides” up and down the elevator, but gosh, my friend certainly has a good point!
Perhaps a female designer would have been more sensitive to the fact that even the most liberal of women have essentially no interest in birthing a child in such a public venue.
Has anyone ever experienced such healthcare facility design faux pas? Please share any humorous, or not so funny, observations in the comments below.
Comments
Kid-friendly health spaces
We just had our first hospital experience since my kids were born 8 and 5 years ago, respectively. My oldest daughter had a tachycardia (racing heart) and had to go to the ER via ambulance. Even though she was taken to a brand new children’s hospital in Houston, the ER was not as “kid friendly” as I know the main campus of the hospital to be. The ER rooms were completely white with the typical sterile hospital feel. I think just the addition of colorful walls and flooring would have helped my daughter feel more at ease in her ER room. The saving grace was that the TV in the ER room was preset to Nick at Nite!
I can't think of too many
I can't think of too many hospital situations where patients would want to be so "exposed." Glass elevators in hotels are fun. Not so much right after your colonoscopy.
Nora DePalma
Good point, Nora!
Good point, Nora!