“We really hope this will improve our retention (of employees). I think it will,” said Andy Atkinson, chief operating office of the facility.

The 500,000-square-foot complex features 300 beds separated into 12 living groups of 25 each.

To help employees do their jobs safely, each living unit is laid out so nurses and other staff have open lines of sight to all of the rooms. In addition, there are 800 cameras positioned within the facility, compared to about 150 at the old hospital.

The design could help lower costs to the state for employee injuries. In recent years, as many as one in three hospital workers filed injury claims, compared to the state average of one in 23.

Atkinson said the layout is the “total opposite” of the old facility.

In addition to improving conditions for employees, the building is designed to assist patients in their treatment.