New Trend Has Patients Ruling in Healthcare Design

Posted by on Dec 19, 2014 in In the Media

It appears that one of the unintended changes of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is elevating healthcare design to increase a patient’s satisfaction and therefore, experience.  This is based upon healthcare providers being reimbursed for outcomes instead of services provided.  It has been proven that if a patient is more satisfied with his healthcare, the chance of readmission goes down.  There are 6 best practices to help elevate patient care:

1) Outpatient Care – The trend is to handle more cases as outpatient.  These facilities are more convenient and often have better outcomes.

NYU Langone Medical Center, Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. Firm: Perkins + Will. Location: New York, New York. Photography by Halkin Mason Photography, courtesy of Perkins+Will.

 

2) Workplace Design – It’s also important to keep the doctors and nurses who are treating the patients in mind.  This is where they work.  Open-plan offices and conference rooms make it easier for them to meet and discuss the patients and their care.

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St. Charles Medical Center – Bend, Cancer Center Expansion. Firm: ZGF Architects. Location: Bend, Oregon. Photography by Pete Eckert.

 

3) Rethinking Hospitality – The direction has changed with healthcare facilities from years before.  It has now become more focused on personalizing a patient’s experience rather than a “hotel experience” of the past.

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BYU Langone Medical Center, Preston Robert Tisch Center for Men’s Health. Firm: Perkins + Will. Location: New York, New York. Photography by Halkin Mason Photography, courtesy of Perkins+Will.

 

4) Better Materials – Using the materials that are pleasing to the eye and yet, still control infection are key.

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North Shore LIJ Katz Women’s Hospital and Zuckerberg Pavilion. Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Location: New Hyde Park, New York. Photography by Eduard Hueber.

 

5) Integrating Nature – Studies show that natural light and landscaping help in the healing and rehabilitation process. 

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Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Firm: Perkins + Will. Location: Charlestown, Massachussetts. Photography by Anton Grassl/Esto, courtesy of Perkins+Will.

 

6) Flexibility – The one constant in healthcare is that things are constantly changing.  It’s important to design with an eye toward the future so that changes can be made.

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Massachusetts General Hospital, Lunder Building. Firm: NBBJ. Location: Boston, Massachussetts. Photography by Frank Oudeman.

 

To read the entire article in Interior Design Magazine and view the slideshow, click here

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Article Source:

http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/detail/36527-2014-market-trends-in-healthcare-design-patients-rule/


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