Post 13



Nussbaumer's Chapter 13 summary:

This chapter focuses on healthcare design. Healthcare is generally defined by being "the maintenance and improvement of physical and mental health, especially through the provision of medical services", which then means that healthcare design includes all medical facilities such as "medical offices, dental offices, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, and assisted living".
The main goals that we have to always keep in mind, when designing for healthcare, is to always provide spaces that provides quality and efficient care in these spaces. Indeed, the space planning of it needs to really thought out well. Spaces that are created need to be what they need, as well as being functional and easy to access. Easy access is important, especially in that particular field because professionals will deal with a lot of people who need help and support physically, as well as mentally and psychologically.                                                                                                                           

The Swedish Medical Center's lobby is very soothing looking and reminds us more of an hotel.

Usually, to provide a space that is comfortable and inviting, some healthcare facilities would mix "various design categories" such as mixing blending residential, retail design and hospitality with healthcare, in the design.


But if we go more in depth, there are 10 principles that we have to apply in the design, according to Nussbaumer:

1. Respect privacy.
2. Facilitate communication, collaboration, and trust.
3. Accommodate patient and family participation.
4. Empower patients.
5. Promote safety and security.
6. Provide accessible accommodations.
7. Create comfortable environments.
8. Support healing.
9. Support staff's goals.
10. Identify design opportunities that respond to unmet needs. 

These principles reveal that the patient is at the heart of the design. Indeed, it is evident that the patient should be at the center of the deign because the goal of these facilities, is to heal and take care of the patient. Rooms should then have a sense of privacy and intimacy and have appropriate size to room the patient, the doctor and nurses that come, as well as the family and friends that visit for support.

this is an excellent space plan because it shows that there are enough room for the patient to recover but also room for visitors and staff to come. 

Different kinds of seating is needed in the lobby, so that visitors can be comfortable while waiting.

Of course there are public spaces such as lobbies for the visitors such as family members. But it is important to provide multiple public zones with comfort and some sort of entertainment as well for them, because the waiting can be long. These spaces can be food services, retail shops, libraries, resource centers, reception areas, chapel, training rooms, etc.

However we also need to provide spaces for the workers. And these, of course need to be private due to the concentration, quality, emergency, and efficiency needed in those serious situations. Those private areas would be "the surgery suites, intensive care units (ICUs), and other areas that conduct high-intensity medical work are off limits to most people in the facility".