For convenience, the discharge lobby in Lower Level 1 exits into level 1 of Parking Ramp 2. This design will allow families to go from the children’s hospital to the ramp without going outside. Eight reserved parking spots are located near the discharge lobby’s exit doors. These spaces are designated for families picking up patients.
Lower Level 1 at a Glance:
The discharge lobby is only for leaving the children’s hospital. Anyone who needs to re-enter the hospital should use the Parking Ramp 2 South elevators. Once in the elevators, press the button marked “G” for access to the Gerdin Family Lobby on Level 1.
Lower Level 1 also will consist of several offstage areas for hospital staff. The main pediatric pharmacy on this level will meet the needs of all inpatients 24/7. Pharmacists will fill all IV and oral medications for the entire children’s hospital in this space. Having a pediatric pharmacy will bring operational efficiencies and enhance safety in our new hospital, as well as in University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Most medicines for pediatric patients are dosed by a patient’s weight. However, most adult medicines are not. Pharmacists will no longer need to switch between preparing medicines for both types of patients.
The new children’s hospital will employ only specially trained pediatric pharmacists. These experts understand the different ways that medications are metabolized by everyone from the youngest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to adolescents and young adults. To meet the growing need for pediatric-trained pharmacists, the UI expanded its pediatric pharmacy residency program a few years ago.
An offstage galley kitchen, also located on Lower Level 1, will be used to prepare meals for pediatric inpatients. Infusion and dialysis patients also will be able to order from this kitchen while they undergo treatment. Patients will be able to place an order by phone or via Oneview, our new interactive patient education and entertainment system. Delivery is expected to take less than 30 minutes.
The kitchen will be especially helpful for patients coming in or out of a procedure who need something to eat quickly. Young children may be accustomed to short wait times at home for snacks, so this new service will help the hospital seem a bit more like home.
Other offstage space will include a large bed storage area. Much of the rest of Lower Level 1 will be dedicated to equipment that supports patient floors. This includes electrical equipment and heating and air conditioning system units. Some of the electrical equipment is so massive that it needs a two-story space. This space spans both Lower Level 2 and Lower Level 1.
Getting there: Take the public elevators to Lower Level 1; look for the orange tractor icon. Lower Level 1 is also accessible from stairs located near the Bread Garden Café in the main lobby.
Lower Level 1 is linked to UI Hospitals & Clinics by a connector. This connector is for use by faculty and staff only.
