East Tennessee Children's Hospital (ETCH)
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) Pediatric Psychiatric Services Observation and Intake

Healthcare:
Behavioral Health

Working with an architectural partner BarberMcMurry Architects of Knoxville, TN, Lavallee Brensinger led the design of the Observation and Psychiatric Services admissions unit for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH). Goals for the project were to create the unit with the flexibility to support emergency department overflow in addition to psychological services observation. Though the hospital’s 2-year average length of stay was less than 24 hours, some psych patients have had admission waits of nearly 72 hours. ETCH wanted to create a unit that would give patients and their families space within the rooms, access to snacks and prepared meals, and showers. Staff and patient safety was a critical requirement of the design. Materials, construction details, furniture, fixtures, and equipment were all selected to create a welcoming environment, allow ease of use, be durable and low maintenance, and reduce risk of harm to self or others.