How to Ease Patient’s Anxiety

The hospital can be a scary thing for anyone, especially a child. What one hospital is doing to ease their patient’s anxiety is creating a graphics program. Below is the highlight of how that program works, to read the full article by health care magazine click here.

Graphics Program

The University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., wanted to ease anxieties and help its pediatric patients feel at ease. For a recent project, the 348-bed hospital worked with Detroit-based businesses to create themed environments featuring animal characters and images. (Source)

From sunglasses-wearing giraffes to scuba-diving dogs and surfing frogs, a variety of cartoon and real-life animal images were designed. The images are featured on floor graphics, ceiling clings, and wall art within the emergency room, waiting spaces, and inpatient floor. (Source)

The program even introduced themed scrub caps for staff in the children’s operating room areas. The attire helps to take patients’ minds off their upcoming procedures as well as provides a conversation starter for doctors and nurses. (Source)

A Story from the Source

“A colleague of mine tells the story of lying in the triage room of a small regional hospital where the countertops were peeling and the cabinet doors were falling of their hinges. The poor conditions of the facility heightened his sense of anxiety and caused him to question the competency of the hospital staff- solely based on the condition of his physical surroundings. Although he received adequate care, he won’t be returning to the hospital in the future due to its unpleasant environment.”

It’s human nature to want to be in a newer hospital that has beautiful atrium-like lobbies with access to outdoor healing gardens, and patient rooms with an abundance of natural lighting. Will these features help cure cancer? Of course not. But in a report to the Center for Health Design for the Designing the 21st Century Hospital Project, researchers found they can improve a patient’s sense of well-being, reduce stress and boost their immune system so their body can heal better and faster. It’s not uncommon for facilities with these types of amenities to score extremely high with regard to patient experience satisfaction.

If you like this article check out Wanting to Be Outside, A Positive Atmosphere Makes Patients Less Anxious and Builds Trust, and A Well-Built Environment Attracts Patients & Builds Loyalty

Marie Wikoff is the creator of Wikoff Design Studio based out of Reno, Nevada. Her expertise in healthcare design has helped modernize healthcare organizations locally, regionally, and internationally, improving patient experience and outcomes. Her credentials include Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC), American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designer (CHID), the National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) and LEED AP. Contact Marie Wikoff

Source: DiNardo, Anne. “C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Installs Graphics Program to Ease Patients’ Anxiety – HCD Magazine.” HCD Magazine – Architecture & Interior Design Trends for Healthcare Facilities, 1 Sept. 2022, https://healthcaredesignmagazine.com/trends/university-of-michigan-healths-graphic-program-eases-anxiety-at-childrens-hospital/.