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KI’S SOLTÍCE COLLECTION SELECTED BY ATLANTICARE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER TO ADD TO PATIENT COMFORT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2008
GREEN BAY, WIS. – Atlantic City’s first hospital is in the midst of a $128 million expansion. AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s (ARMC) new seven-story patient tower, the George F. Lynn Harmony Pavilion, includes an Emergency Center designed to handle more than 60,000 annual patient visits. Creating a nurturing environment for patients, their families and staff was a top priority, and after an extensive selection process, ARMC administrators, interior designers at Francis Cauffman, and a committee of community members and hospital physicians and staff chose KI’s Soltíce™ collection for the facility’s patient rooms, family lounges and waiting areas.
“ARMC physicians and staff designed the patient tower to include the latest diagnostic and treatment technology in an environment that focuses on patient privacy, safety and comfort,” said Haley Driscoll, associate, senior interior designer, Francis Cauffman. “To affect that type of environment, we sought to create a residential aesthetic, one that evokes the comforts of home.”
The design team at Francis Cauffman narrowed the furniture options to five manufacturers. They created a full-scale mockup of the patient rooms that included the pieces, so they would get a true sense of what a room might look and feel like. One thousand people toured the rooms to offer suggestions and feedback. The selection committee evaluated the furniture against several criteria, including safety, durability, comfort, and aesthetics.
“The clear choice was KI’s Soltíce collection,” said Sara Gally, interior designer Francis Cauffman. “It was welcoming and comfortable, and we loved that it was a family; it fit together beautifully and allowed us to create a consistent look from floor to floor. Soltíce became the standard for the entire patient tower.”
Soltíce is a comprehensive collection of healthcare furniture that combines design and function to support a healing environment. Its elements range from a wooden folding chair and armless loveseat to a lounge sleeper, recliners and tandem seating. The collection’s design was based on extensive research done by KI and designers Daniel Cramer and Paul James with other interior designers and healthcare facilities, pointing to the need for furniture designed for the growing number of family members who participate in the patient support process.
“Healthcare facilities are moving away from being sterile, institutional environments to those that nurture and comfort their patients and visitors,” said Deborah Breunig, RN, BSN, MBA, vice president – healthcare market, KI. “Facility managers and interior designers are seeking furniture that supports that type of environment. They’re beginning to look at entire collections rather than singular pieces, and are evaluating those collections based on increased demand for high quality, sophisticated design and comfort. Aesthetics play an important role both in how the patients feel and how the hospital is seen in the eyes of the community.”
KI’s Soltíce collection is installed in the Harmony Pavilion’s patient rooms, family lounges, waiting areas, greeting rooms and in the facility’s chapel.
About AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
AtlantiCare is a regional healthcare organization based in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, whose more than 4,580 employees serve the healthcare needs of the community at more than 60 locations. It includes AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center (ARMC), the AtlantiCare Foundation, AtlantiCare Health Plans, AtlantiCare Behavioral Health and AtlantiCare Health Services.
About KI
KI manufactures innovative furniture and wall system solutions for education, healthcare, government and corporate markets. The employee-owned company is headquartered in Green Bay, Wis. and operates sales offices and manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia. KI tailors products and service solutions to the specific needs of each customer through its unique “Market of One” customer service and manufacturing philosophy. For more information, visit www.kihealthcare.com.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact:
Christina Sorbello
Eric Mower and Associates
315-413-4283 |