Medical Construction & Design

NOV-DEC 2017

Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.

Issue link: https://mcdmag.epubxp.com/i/909550

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 33 of 62

MCDM AG.COM | NOV EMBER / DECEMBER 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 29 Demographics often require children's hospitals to serve a culturally diverse population with diff ering customs and needs for social interaction and support. It is not uncommon to address language barriers, support religious customs and meet unique dietary requirements and re- strictions including age-based nutritional needs, personal preference or customized preparation and meals because of aller- gies. Interpreter phones and translator services may be needed, discreet family waiting and family food pantries may need to be provided and multi-denominational meditative spaces can off er comfort to all regardless of background. Families may come from afar for spe- cialized pediatric services. The comfort of both immediate and extended family mem- bers traveling with patients and parents can be enhanced both in and out of the patient room. Space and amenities at the bedside should include a comfortable day bed, sometimes sized to accommodate two parents, varied seating options; in-room refrigerators (per institution approval); adequate and securable personal belonging storage; family and patient entertainment (with auditory control); personal device charging and viewing ports; varied and controllable lighting; temperature control; manual or electronic communication board and aesthetically pleasing, engaging interior design elements. While discrete family/personal space is required in the patient room, facility and unit-based family space for social sup- port and interaction serves a valuable role. Communal spaces, such as shared lounges with dining and entertainment amenities, washer/dryer for family use and business facilities should be available and can be on- unit or centrally located. Access to showers is essential and it may also be wise to con- sider sleeping options for extended family members. This can be accommodated with hospital-provided space in or adjacent to the hospital, onsite hotel facilities, Ronald McDonald hospitality centers or other community-based initiatives. With so much eff ort undertaken to an- ticipate the needs and expectations of the family, equal attention must be given to the caregivers and providers. The in-room design must balance family needs, privacy and access to the provider with clinical care and caregiver workspace. While it is desirable to provide both visual and audi- tory privacy, parent/clinician communica- tion and relationship is invaluable. Patient care is typically multidisciplinary and fam- ily inclusive. There must be space aff orded not only for provider-to-provider interac- tion, teaching and research initiatives, but also for family participation in rounding, shift change downloads, one-on-one education and even group training within the facility. Participation in hospital-based care eases the transition to home care. Designing for technology Patients may be dependent on high-tech clinical equipment, which can be frighten- ing to families. Between known technolo- gies, research-based technology initia- tives and fl exibility for unknown future technologies, room layout and space allocations must always be top-of-mind. While it is commonly understood that the patient room is a sacred, safe space and procedures should not be performed in the patient room, they must be able to sup- port life-sustaining bedside equipment. Rooms can be designed to minimize the need to transfer as the patient's condition improves. A graduated, acuity-responsive headwall design conceals services when not needed, can disguise services and show patient progress — off ering hope to families. Communication technologies between patient/family and caregiver or caregiver- to-caregiver, whether on hospital-owned or personal devices, will need to ensure accessibility and access to real-time infor- mation. Many facilities are implementing the use of personal devices in addition to traditional communication technolo- gies, such as nurse call and hospital-based phone systems. Smart-room technology, both in and directly outside the patient room, enables communication and access to information — from room signage moni- tors along the corridor to headwall-based charting to the patient TV, which can function as an education device, on- demand meal requests, pain management and entertainment, etc. Facilities may employ real-time location tracking for patients, furniture, equipment and even supplies and Inpatient rooms, space and amenities at the bedside should include a comfortable day bed, sometimes sized to accommodate two parents. #1 Respiratory conditions were the No.1 reason for hospital stays among children. — hcup-us.ahrq.gov 73% Newborns and infants younger than 1 year of age constituted 73 percent of all hospital stays for children; 57.9 percent of aggregate hospital costs. — hcup-us.ahrq.gov Family space: Halkin | Mason Photography; Hopewell: Blake Marvin/HKS

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Medical Construction & Design - NOV-DEC 2017