Pictured is one of the new rooms in the intensive care unit at the Hershey Medical Center. (Photo provided)

The Hershey Medical Center has a new intensive care unit.

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center opened the new 24-bed unit on Monday on the seventh floor of the hospital, which replaces the previous 16-bed unit on the sixth floor, which will be renovated into additional patient care space.

The health system said that the new unit was designed with extensive feedback from patients, families and staff.

“Our new MICU provides the most advanced medical intensive care in the region, which is what patients expect from the region’s only academic medical center,” Deborah Berini, president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said in a news release. “This new unit is special beyond the technology. It was designed by our physicians, staff and patients to create a care environment that supports our teams as they work together to deliver unparalleled outcomes and patient- and family-centered care.”

“The larger, state-of-the-art rooms are designed with a warm, inviting feel and include a family space – with fold-out sofa – outside of the immediate care space,” the health system said in a news release. “This layout allows family to be present while staff care for the patient.”

Staff wellness areas include a “quiet room” to help team members recharge as well as a staff lounge and mothers’ lounge.

The hospital said that the unit is designed to foster collaboration between doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other team members.

“This is achieved by providing each profession with dedicated space within an open layout that allows for easy communication,” the health said.

The health system also said that the new unit includes the appropriate infrastructure and flexibility for future surges of special pathogen patients, such as those with COVID-19 infections.

The Hershey Medical Center is located at 500 University Drive in Derry Township. The hospital is about 20 minutes from Harrisburg.

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