Innovation Design Unit wraps up first phase of planning

In the midst of a busy year, including continued strain from COVID-19 and high patient demand on the health system, hundreds of people have been reimagining what the future of inpatient care might look like for Nebraska Medicine – and ultimately health care organizations across the nation and world. 

The Innovation Design Unit will be an active patient care environment for designing, testing and validating new models of care, innovative technology and facility design. It will be housed on level six of University Tower at Nebraska Medical Center (previous 6 West UT) and likely will include 18 to 20 beds. 

“We’re excited to be wrapping up the first steps in preparation for the Innovation Design Unit and really appreciate the hard work from everyone that has got us to this point,” said Michael Ash, MD, executive vice president – chief transformation officer for Nebraska Medicine. “After much feedback, brainstorming and collaboration, we’ve created a vision for the unit, including how it’ll be used to transform how we care for our patients. It’s inspiring to see this concept really take off.” 

More than 850 participants from across Nebraska Medicine and UNMC took part in the initial concept phase of the project, which explored the unit’s purpose and impact; what the experience could look like for patients, loved ones, care teams and learners; and how technology and innovation will be integrated and explored through the unit. This phase included numerous interviews, open office hours, surveys and workshops with operational leaders, colleagues, physicians and faculty.  

“We’re thankful to everyone who took the time to share their insight, including more than 850 people who responded to our survey about innovation late last year. The information you provided served as a foundation for the work that’s been done so far and what’s to come,” said Lynn Borstelmann, executive director of care design and innovation for Nebraska Medicine.

One of the outcomes of the concept work was identifying the mission of the Innovation Design Unit, which includes three parts, all centered on people: delivering care, piloting innovation and sharing knowledge.  

The team also created statements outlining the purpose of the new unit:  

• Provide an inclusive environment to work, practice, educate and staff more efficiently  
• Optimize team-based care and communication 
• Enhance quality, safety and clinical outcomes 
• Improve the lives of physicians, staff, learners and care providers 
• Lower the cost to care 
• Provide a safe, inviting environment committed to equity of care 

“It’s our duty to ensure patients are cared for at the best place imaginable, whether that’s here at Nebraska Medicine, within their home or somewhere else,” said Chad Vokoun, MD, division chief of hospital medicine for UNMC. “We’ll use the Innovation Design Unit as a tool to crack the code: when, where and how are the best ways to treat an individual, so that they’re still connected to their primary care team and the caregivers who know them best.” 

While much work has been done, there is plenty to do before the unit will see patients, likely by the end of 2024. 

“We’re now in the physical design phase, which includes determining what the rooms and support areas will look like and how to make them fit into the existing space in University Tower,” said Jen Bartholomew, vice president of facilities for Nebraska Medicine and assistant vice chancellor of facilities management and planning for UNMC. “We’re working with some of the top talent from the community, a collaboration which is being referred to as Studio NeXT. It includes architects, designers and other experts from firms such as HDR, Leo A. Daly, RDG, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture and Specialized Engineering Solutions.” 

Additionally, a number of workstreams will launch in the coming months, focused on:  

“This project is energizing and inspiring,” said Theresa Franco, vice president of operations for Nebraska Medicine. “It aligns with our mission of leading the world and will position Nebraska Medicine and UNMC to truly transform how we deliver care, share knowledge and pilot innovations while we redefine what health care looks and feels like in the future.”