Saint Joseph Medical Center ER Unveils Sensory-Friendly Pediatric Room

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 21, 2026) – A new sensory-friendly patient room in Commonspirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington’s emergency department is designed to  provide pediatric patients with unique needs a more comfortable and relaxing visit. The hospital unveiled the new patient room at a ribbon-cutting event today.

This new addition to the East Lexington facility provides a dedicated room in the emergency department for pediatric patients to regulate sensory input, offering a mix of dimmable lighting, relaxing sounds and interesting textures to support unique needs stemming from autism, ADHD, anxiety or sensory overload. Hospital leaders partnered with the Autism Society of the Bluegrass to ensure the new room meets patient safety needs and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements.

“We noticed a need in our community, and our goal as part of a mission-based organization is to meet our patients where they are so we can provide them with the best possible care,” said Jarrett Millsaps, FACHE, President of CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington. “We know that emergency rooms can be stressful, and even more challenging for some children who have issues facing sensory overload. Creating an environment that supports the unique needs of these pediatric emergency patients is one more way we can help families deal with an uncertain situation.”

Features of the sensory-friendly room include a fun and colorful paint theme, interactive wall art activities, interactive multicolor lights, a full-room ceiling star projector and more with children’s comfort in mind.

CommonSpirit Health in Kentucky plans to expand the sensory-friendly initiative across its six other facilities in central and southeastern Kentucky, including CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Bardstown, CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Berea, CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Lexington, CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Outpatient Care Center - Nicholasville, CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - London and CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Hospital - Mount Sterling. 

“It’s been amazing to witness the difference this sensory-friendly room is already making in the care we provide to our patients and their families,” said Melissa (Missy) Hicks, MBA, BSN, RN, Market Director of Emergency Services for CommonSpirit Health in Kentucky. “Visiting the emergency room can be scary, especially for a child with unique needs. Making that visit as comfortable as we can for them not only provides a better experience for the patients, but also better patient outcomes upon receiving care.”

In addition to the sensory-friendly patient room, the emergency department also offers a Reserve-a-Spot feature for patients experiencing urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms. Learn more about services at CommonSpirit - Saint Joseph Medical Center - East Lexington.

About CommonSpirit in Kentucky

CommonSpirit Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in Kentucky with 100 locations in 15 cities, including hospitals, clinician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory care center. The health system, formerly known as Saint Joseph Health, has been a member of CommonSpirit since 2019 with seven hospitals serving Lexington, Bardstown, Berea, Mount Sterling, London, and surrounding communities, and a freestanding emergency room with additional services in Nicholasville. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CommonSpirit is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all, embodying a strong mission, faith-based heritage and legacy of exceptional care, and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About CommonSpirit – Saint Joseph Medical Center – East Lexington

CommonSpirit – Saint Joseph Medical Center – East Lexington includes a 217-bed full service community hospital, women’s hospital, medical office building and specialty clinics located in the southeastern area of Lexington, KY. Established in 1983, the campus serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky, providing a comprehensive range of health care services including ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care, women’s health services and advanced orthopedic care supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient programs.