Nebraska Medicine Innovation Design Unit at UNMC
Nebraska Medicine - Innovation Design Unit at UNMC
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University of Nebraska Medical Center Campus, Omaha, NE
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Nebraska Medicine in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center
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24,000 SF
17- Adaptable Patient Rooms
Academic Health & Teaching Center
Collaboration from over 800 stakeholders
Virtual Nursing Models
Collaborative Research -
17-Room Unit is modular and adaptive
Simulation Center Adjacency
4 Operating Rooms
Central Sterilization
Patient Care Stations -
Architectural Services
Purpose and Vision
The Innovation Design Unit at UNMC was conceived as a forward-thinking response to the evolving demands of healthcare. Rather than simply building a new inpatient unit, the university and its partners envisioned a living laboratory—a space where clinical care, research, and design innovation converge in real time.
This unit is the first tangible outcome of a broader strategic initiative known as Project Health, a multi-billion-dollar investment in the future of healthcare delivery and education. The IDU is not just a place to treat patients, it's a platform to test, learn, and refine the systems and environments that will define tomorrow’s hospitals.
Design Philosophy
The IDU was shaped through an inclusive, interdisciplinary process involving hundreds of voices and collaboration from frontline clinicians and patients to architects and engineers.
Innovation in Practice
What sets the IDU apart is its dual function as both a care unit and a testbed for innovation. It supports active experimentation with:
Virtual nursing models that extend the reach of clinical teams.
Prototype equipment and furnishings that can be swapped and evaluated in real-world conditions.
Collaborative research through the adjacent Bridge Innovation Program, where ideas can be rapidly developed and deployed.
This iterative approach ensures that every element of the unit from the layout of a patient room to the integration of new technologies is informed by evidence and experience.
