Planning the IT Elements of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Recently-Opened Hospital Was An Exercise in Placing Bets on the Future While Building in Flexibility, Says CIO Jeremy Meller

Jeremy Meller, CIO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), has spent over a decade advancing the role of technology in pediatric care. With the recent opening of the Arthur M. Blank Pediatric Hospital, a $2 billion, 19-story, 2-million-square-foot facility, Meller’s vision for leveraging technology to address operational challenges and enhance patient outcomes has become a reality.

The hospital, the largest of its kind in Georgia, reflects a forward-thinking approach to healthcare delivery. From extensive planning to the adoption of cutting-edge innovations, CHOA’s journey offers valuable lessons for health system executives navigating similar projects.



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Decade-Long Vision Becomes Reality

The Arthur M. Blank Pediatric Hospital’s journey began over ten years ago when CHOA identified the need for a world-class facility to meet growing patient demands. The site originally housed CHOA’s administrative campus, which was restructured to accommodate the project. “We started by consolidating administrative operations into a new support center, clearing the way for the hospital’s development,” Meller explained.

Construction broke ground in early 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the disruption, the hospital opened six months ahead of schedule in September 2023, thanks to meticulous planning and the involvement of over 10,000 construction professionals. “This project represents the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and a commitment to providing exceptional care for the most complex pediatric cases,” Meller said.

A Hospital Built for the Future

CHOA approached the hospital’s design with a 50-year lifespan in mind, emphasizing adaptability and flexibility. “We standardized room sizes across the hospital, making it easier to reconfigure spaces for different patient needs,” Meller shared. “This required additional space, but it ensures long-term flexibility. We even built four extra floors with all necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate future growth.”

CHOA also incorporated modern logistical systems, such as a high-capacity pneumatic tube network capable of delivering supplies across 19 stories. “The tube system, a modern take on a classic design, reflects our commitment to marrying proven solutions with advanced technology,” Meller noted.

Addressing Size and Complexity Challenges

At 2 million square feet, the hospital is comparable in size to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While its scale supports comprehensive care and amenities, it posed logistical challenges. Meller emphasized the importance of minimizing inefficiencies in such a large facility. “To help our clinicians maintain their efficiency, we implemented technologies that save both physical and process steps,” he explained.

Key Solutions for Efficiency:



* Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS): Staff badges with location awareness allow clinicians to locate colleagues and resources instantly. The badges also double as duress alarms, enhancing staff safety.

* Smart Room Indicators: Hallway displays show which rooms are occupied by clinicians or physicians, using color-coded lights for quick identification.

* Robotics: With 90 robots dedicated to tasks like food, medication, and supply delivery, CHOA boasts one of the largest hospital robotics programs in the world. Nine elevators and staging areas were designed specifically for robots, optimizing their efficiency.



Harnessing Data for Better Care

CHOA also focused on improving the management of the...