Many hospitals are considering new construction or renovation of older facilities to meet the increasing demand for cancer services resulting from the aging of the baby boomers. Patient centered, staff-friendly facilities that incorporate evidence-based design features that have been proven to have positive effects on patients and staff, happen only with careful planning and an educated design team composed of healthcare architects, staff, administrators, and patients. Often the nursing staff, administrators, and patients have no experience in design or in how the design influences operational processes. This session provided insights on not only healing environments, but the creation of an educated design team that recognizes the operational effects of design that will result in increased patient and staff satisfaction by focusing on patient centered design.
Panelists included: Myra Fouts, RN, MSN, OCN, CNAA, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Aptium Oncology, Inc. and Natalie Miovski, AIA, LEED, AP, Principal, Healthcare Practice, EwingCole.