impact upon patient and staff outcomes.
However, what may have worked in 2006
to help in the design process is now being
taken a step further with the use of focus
groups.
Information garnered from facilitated
focus groups provides patient input
and guides the design of a truly patient-
centered facility. In order to best meet
the needs of patients, focus groups
should be used to identify what is of
critical importance to them in the design.
Designing hospitals to be comfortable
and accessible benefi ts more than just
patient-satisfaction rates. This approach
to design helps make patients partners
in their care; high levels of patient
engagement make them more likely to
follow up with their doctors, continue
their medication and maintain healthy
living practices.
Additionally, this methodology allows
hospitals to be designed with maximum
adaptability and fl exibility in mind, to
accommodate changes and provide for
future growth. Another benefi t is by
listening to both patients and staff , and
applying their feedback into the design,
which helps in both recruiting and staff
retention.
1. Veterans told the design team they
consider their hospitals to be places not
only to seek medical care, but also to
socialize with like-minded individuals. To
create a sense of belonging, clusters of
furniture are strategically placed to
encourage conversation.
> 2. The
landscaped grounds at the new VA medical
center in New Orleans honor American
veterans by contributing to their comfort
and healing, and by expressing reverence
for the sacrifi ces they made on the country's
behalf.
> 3. Veterans have high rates of
disability and obesity. So, furniture at the
hospital is selected for its stability and extra
width, with large armrests that help visitors
pull themselves up.
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Medical Construction & Design | J U LY/AUGUST 2017 | MCDM AG.COM