IKM Architecture (IKM) is honored to announce that the Forbes Hospital Emergency Department Behavioral Health Suite has been recognized with the Innovation and Transformation Award at the International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) Healthcare Design Awards and featured in Healthcare Design Magazine.
We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) to create a safe, secure, and soothing behavioral health suite within the Forbes Hospital emergency department (ED) in Monroeville, PA. At just 2,000 square feet, this compact renovation serves the approximately 2,300 behavioral health patients that visit the hospital’s ED each year. Collaborating closely with physicians, leadership, and stakeholders at Forbes Hospital, the IKM design team developed a dedicated environment designed to calm and de-escalate patients in crisis.
Addressing a National Crisis, Supporting a Local Community
The demand for behavioral health services has surged nationwide, placing immense responsibility on healthcare systems. Emergency departments have become the default point of care for many individuals experiencing mental health crises. With approximately one in eight ED visits in the US related to behavioral health concerns, AHN’s Forbes Hospital demonstrated leadership by proactively addressing this need. They chose to renovate a portion of their existing ED to create a secure and dedicated suite for behavioral health patients.
The new suite plays a crucial role within the busy hospital. This is the first point of care for patients in crisis, giving them a place to de-escalate before being admitted to an inpatient behavioral health unit or returning home. The suite must balance patient and staff safety, minimizing self-harm and elopement risks, while simultaneously fostering a calming and supportive atmosphere.
An Empathetic Community Space for Patient Well-Being
The new behavioral health suite is anchored by the “milieu,” a shared community space promoting patient interaction and support. The milieu is furnished with comfortable reclining chairs and built-in bench seating, empowering patients to choose their preferred spot. The soft glow of perimeter lighting replaces harsh downlights to allow patients to rest comfortably in the recliners. The design team integrated adjustable lighting for color temperature and brightness to engage patients’ natural circadian rhythms, regulating their sleep-wake cycles and providing a connection to the outside world. These thoughtful design choices encourage a sense of community among patients sharing similar experiences.
IKM’s design prioritizes physical and emotional well-being in all aspects. In addition to the color palette of soothing blues, the milieu is enveloped by a large-scale wall graphic depicting a serene grove of flowering trees. This innovative feature provides a positive distraction for anxious patients and creates a sense of spaciousness.
A new sally port vestibule reduces elopement risks and minimizes staff required for observation. The nurse station, integrated with the patient milieu space, features frameless laminated safety glass from counter to ceiling. This design allows staff to visually share the space with patients while maintaining physical security and a separate egress point.
Every element of the suite is designed to eliminate ligature points and opportunities for self-harm. IKM’s solution transcends the requirements of the original design, creating a safe space where patients feel a sense of calm and support. The innovative milieu space, nature-inspired graphic, and circadian lighting all contribute to an empathetic environment that transforms the patient experience for those in crisis.
A Forward-Thinking Transformation
Recognizing the growing need for behavioral health services, both nationally and in their community, Forbes Hospital took a proactive step by developing a dedicated space within the ED. IKM embraced this bold initiative, incorporating our expertise and vision to create a behavioral health suite that supports patient well-being from the beginning of the care journey. The open, collaborative spirit between the hospital and the project team enabled the designers to exceed stakeholders’ expectations for the project. IKM is immensely proud of the design solutions implemented in this space, and even more so of the caring environment it provides for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.