Advancing the role of technology in pediatric care.

Jeremy Meller, CIO, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

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 vast amount of data generated by complex pediatric cases. Meller described how the hospital integrated 1,500 medical devices into its IT infrastructure to streamline data collection and analysis. “Nurses can now view alerts on their mobile devices, including real-time waveforms from monitors,” he said. “This allows them to prioritize tasks without unnecessary interruptions, reducing false alarms and improving patient safety.” Artificial intelligence (AI) also plays a significant role in clinical decision-making. By analyzing large datasets, AI helps clinicians make more informed choices, improving outcomes for critically ill patients.

Enhancing the Patient and Family Experience

Recognizing the importance of the patient and family experience, CHOA introduced innovative engagement tools. Each room includes a smart whiteboard that replaces traditional whiteboards with interactive displays showing patient information and care team updates. Parents have access to a dedicated screen in their portion of the room, enabling them to stay informed. Video technology adds another layer of convenience. “We use cameras in patient rooms for remote interpreters and family conferencing,” Meller explained. “These systems allow us to connect families across the country while ensuring privacy and security.”

Governance and Staff Training

CHOA emphasized governance and staff involvement throughout the planning and implementation phases. Meller highlighted the importance of aligning technology with clinician workflows, achieved through detailed simulations in a “cardboard city” model. “We created full-scale mock-ups of our units, complete with equipment and movable walls,” he said. “This allowed us to test workflows and make adjustments before construction began.” Staff training was another priority, with thousands of new employees hired and trained on both technology and operational changes. “We ensured that day-one use cases were realistic while laying the groundwork for future advancements,” Meller said.

Cybersecurity: A Clean Slate

Building a new facility presented an opportunity to strengthen cybersecurity measures from the ground up. CHOA implemented robust segmentation, comprehensive monitoring, and physical security controls to protect its network and devices. “We treated the hospital as a clean environment, ensuring that all devices were cleared and secure before being introduced,” Meller noted. Staff received extensive training to recognize phishing attempts and other cyber threats. CHOA also conducted penetration testing, including physical assessments, to identify vulnerabilities before opening. “We anticipated being a target and took proactive steps to mitigate risks,” Meller said.

Lessons for Health System Executives

Meller’s experience offers several actionable insights for health IT leaders:

Plan for Adaptability: Build flexible infrastructure, such as standardized rooms and modular spaces, to accommodate future needs.
Invest in Foundational Technologies: Prioritize a robust network, device integration, and location awareness to enable advanced capabilities.
Engage Clinicians Early: Use governance to align innovations with clinical workflows and identify pain points.
Prepare for Change Management: Provide comprehensive training and stagger rollouts to avoid overwhelming staff.
Prioritize Cybersecurity: Treat new facilities as opportunities to implement best practices in security and monitoring.

Looking Ahead

CHOA’s technology-first approach positions it as a model for modern healthcare facilities. Meller advised CIOs embarking on similar projects to balance innovation with operational realities. “Be realistic about how much change your organization can absorb,” he said. “Establish foundational technologies that support both immediate needs and long-term advancements.” Ultimately, Meller emphasized the human impact of these efforts. “By offloading routine tasks to technology, we allow clinicians to focus on delivering exceptional patient care. That’s the ultimate goal.”

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