When Patients Have a Say

Hospitals are busy places—and caregivers, busy people. And it has traditionally been to them and their preferences that hospital planners have largely considered when designing bed placements, bathrooms, medical equipment, etc. Now patients are becoming part of the conversation–and when the patient is also an architect, the planners are even more likely to listen.

The following article summarizes a story first published by Healthcare Design Magazine.  It is about patient and architect Patricia Haley.  Her personal fight with cancer led to a  healthcare experience that helped  identify opportunities and redefine healthcare design considerations from an patient’s point of view.   The full article published by Healthcare Design Magazine may be seen by clicking  here.

Patricia  Haley is a cancer survivor. Her treatment regimen took her through a continuum of care from office to hospital to outpatient infusion center. Each step of the way she saw opportunities to improve the patient experience. And now she has integrated that experience into her work.

Haley has since challenged architects and design professionals to consider issues from the patient’s perspective.  Some of her recommendations have helped guide design and eliminate major obstacles for patients.

• Flatter door transom – even a small elevation can feel like a speed bump  when walking with an IV pole on wheels.
• Provide patients with an option for social spaces and private spaces – most patients do not want to be alone during a transfusion procedure but many come alone, therefore hospitals should offer more of a group experience or a right to choose. Of course, some patients want privacy, either for personal reasons or because they are accompanied by a friend or family, so it is important to have a choice.

Patricia Haley’s experience was enlightening to professionals helping them see that what was originally thought to have worked may be opposite to the patient’s experience.  May the conversations continue.

See this post at: http://www.healthcaredesignmagazine.com/article/when-patients-are-architects

The Photo below shows Reno-Oncology Infusion Room designed by Marie Wikoff. The easy setting, peaceful color scheme and open seating allows patients comfort, and peace.  Photo by Jeff Ross, Reno, NV.