Jeff Erbert | 31 January, 2025
Healthcare Architecture Can Improve Care
When we think about hospitals, the first things that come to mind are cold, sterile, neutral-colored environments accompanied by beeps, blips, the chatter of staff, and the occasional groan. It’s far from pleasant, but in many regards, this is just the nature of hospital operations. A skilled healthcare architect or designer, however, can remedy many of these exposures while simultaneously enhancing hospital operations. Here are three ways hospital design can improve patient care.
1. Comfortable Design for Patients
Good Design Boosts Mood
Imagine being in a hospital room that feels more like a cozy bedroom than a sterile, clinical space. Even something as simple as choosing warmer colors can significantly boost a patient’s experience.
The study of color psychology is relatively new, however, it suggests that colors can have a measurable effect on our mood. "It's amazing how colors can truly impact our mood and influence our behavior," Rachel Goldman, PhD, told VeryWellMind.com.
Patient mood can have physiological effects, too. In one study published by the Radiological Society of North America, patients with a negative pre-procedure outlook experienced more adverse events, including changes in blood pressure and heart rate or post-operative bleeding, during or immediately after their respective procedure.
Create A Healing Environment
Of course, improving mood goes beyond selecting colors. Research suggests that creating quiet environments can significantly improve a patient’s outcome. A well-designed hospital can create a healing environment that promotes faster recovery by minimizing noise levels.
Factors like soundproofing walls, careful pneumatic tube system station placement (or installing whisper kits), and using quiet HVAC systems can make a substantial difference. Additionally, providing patients with personal control over room acoustics, such as white noise machines or soundproof curtains, can enhance their sense of comfort and control. This reduction in noise can lower anxiety and stress, which are often barriers to healing.
According to the American College of Healthcare Executives, noise exposure can create or exacerbate patient health issues. Even mild noise levels have been linked to increased stress, higher heart rates, elevated blood pressure, and poor mental health. Therefore, prioritizing noise reduction in hospital design is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Family-Friendly Spaces Are Key
Hospitals that incorporate family-friendly spaces also contribute to patient comfort. Areas where family members can stay overnight, comfortable waiting rooms, and spaces for children to play can make a significant difference. When patients have their loved ones close by in a comfortable setting, it can provide emotional support and positively impact their recovery process.
2. Happier Staff
Better Break Areas Serve Employees
The American Hospital Association expects a shortage of approximately 100,000 critical healthcare workers by 2028. This strain on the healthcare system forces hospital staff to work long, demanding hours, and less consistent schedules. Having a place to take a break is crucial for their well-being.
Well-designed break areas with comfortable seating, natural light, and amenities like coffee machines and healthy snacks can provide a much-needed respite. When staff have a pleasant place to relax, it can boost their mood and energy levels, making them more effective in their roles.
3. Efficiency Through Design
Consolidated Service Centers Can Ensure Safe Care
Efficiency in hospital design is not just about saving time; it's about improving operations that better serve patients. Building Consolidated Service Centers(CSCs), where various services are brought together in one location, can streamline operations and reduce medication errors. For example, having a centralized pharmacy that uses automation can reduce wait times for medications and ensure accurate dispensing. In our webinar Considering CSCs and ISCs, experts Jon Brown from Indiana University Health (IUH) and Lindsay DeFendi from Swisslog Healthcare dive deep into these two organizational strategies to determine if a Consolidated Service Center or an Isolated Service Center is better for your application.
Pharmacy Automation Supports Providers & Patients
Working hand-in-hand with the CSC model, pharmacy automation systems can significantly enhance efficiency. Automated systems can handle tasks like medication dispensing, inventory management, and even tracking. This not only reduces the risk of medication errors – which, according to the National Institutes of Health, is the most common and avoidable cause of patient harm – but also frees up pharmacists to focus on more critical tasks, such as patient consultations.
Pneumatic Tube Systems Make Healthcare Happen
Pneumatic tube systems are another design consideration, and they are best addressed before an architect begins drafting blueprints. These systems can quickly transport medications, lab samples, supplies, and documents throughout the hospital. With that said, the average TransLogic pneumatic tube system contains 8,750 feet of tubing and makes thousands of transactions per day.
Designing a system with the right amount of tube system stations, diverters, transfer units, and service access can ensure that this critical infrastructure serves the hospital efficiently and reliably.
Design Is More Than Aesthetics
In conclusion, hospital design is more than just aesthetics; it's about creating an environment that supports healing, enhances staff well-being, and improves operational efficiency. By focusing on comfortable design for patients, happier staff, and efficient systems, hospitals can provide better care and create a more positive experience for everyone involved. Whether you're a patient, a family member, or a healthcare provider, a well-designed hospital can make all the difference in a community.
