Hospital Design-Shaping Spaces that Nurture the Patients in Healthcare Facilities

Everyone, more or less, understands healthcare facilities as unpleasant spaces. Whether we are patients, family members or healthcare personnel, healthcare environments can cause significant stress, fatigue, discouragement and even fear depending on how they are designed.

Interior designing in hospitals has become increasingly vital in crafting healthcare environments that address the distinctive needs of the patients and families visiting the hospital. A well-designed space can profoundly enhance their experience, providing comfort, safety, and well-being during their stay in healthcare facilities.

Various reports have echoed that the biophilic design lowers anxiety levels and therefore promotes sleep. To get there, you have to understand the advantages and benefits of having hospitals and health areas supported by biophilic design:

• Good ventilation means less spread of infectious diseases, and fresh air creates less stress.
• Sound absorbing materials reduce noise levels, minimizing distractions and errors, and reducing fatigue for staff and patients.
• Optimizing natural light reduces, as we said, patient stays in hospitals, as well as pain, depression, fatigue, or the need for medication.
• Emotional well-being increases exponentially when you have points of view to nature or natural elements.
• Indoor gardens generate greater social interaction.
• Using natural materials makes the sanitary environment a more comfortable and pleasant place.

This blog delves into how interior design can support patients and their families in healthcare settings. 

The significance of interior designing for hospitals is paramount when it comes to creating spaces that cater to the patients. The patients have specific requirements, including mobility, accessibility, and a calming, nurturing ambiance. To meet these needs, several essential considerations must be addressed 

1.     Effective Design Strategies to Minimize Fall Risks in Hospitals

Firstly, safety for patients especially for older adults must be a top priority in hospital design. A prevalent issue among patients is the risk of falls, which can have dire repercussions on their health. To reduce this risk, hospital designers should employ strategies such as installing slip-resistant flooring, guaranteeing sufficient lighting, and placing handrails and grab bars in strategic locations.

2.     Creating Ergonomic and Accessible Spaces for patients

Besides safety, the physical comfort of the patients and their attendants should be taken into account. Ergonomics are crucial in ensuring a cozy experience for them, as many grapple with musculoskeletal issues. Furniture selection is critical, with features like adjustable heights, cushioned seating, and proper lumbar support. The space’s layout should also enable easy movement, incorporating wide corridors and doorways to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.

3.     Designing Inviting and Familiar Spaces for Patients

Another essential aspect of designing is fostering a sense of familiarity and comfort. A hospital designer should aim to create spaces evoking a home-like atmosphere. This can be achieved by integrating elements of residential design, such as warm colors, gentle lighting, and cozy furnishings. Artwork and decorations can be utilized to establish a more welcoming environment.

4.     Streamlining Wayfinding for Patients with Intuitive Design Solutions

Furthermore, wayfinding is a major concern for patients, especially for older adults, who may face confusion or disorientation due to unfamiliarity, memory challenges or cognitive decline. Hospital designers must ensure the presence of clear and intuitive signage to guide patients and visitors. Visual cues, like contrasting colors or floor patterns, can be employed to distinguish spaces and offer additional guidance. 

5.      Designing Communal Spaces to Encourage Social Interaction Among Patients

Social interaction is another vital factor to consider when designing spaces for patients and their families. Loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact the mental health of patients especially children and older adults. As such, hospital designers should fashion communal spaces that foster interaction and cultivate a sense of community. These spaces may include shared dining areas, outdoor gardens, or inviting sitting areas for patients and their families to gather. 

Additionally, integrating biophilic design elements (natural building materials or incorporating more natural lights) can immensely benefit the elderly. The principles of biophilic design are the introduction of nature into space, using elements equivalent to those of nature and creating natural spaces. That is to say: integrate analogous forms in a way that looks as logical and enjoyable as possible.

The application of biophilic design in hospitals is one of the cornerstones of the humanization of health centers. It should be noted that increased access to natural light helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythms, those that govern our mood and physiological changes throughout the day. Which affects the release of hormones for sleep and happiness. Studies have demonstrated that access to natural elements, such as sunlight, plants, and water features, can considerably improve mood, alleviate stress, and promote healing. Hospital designer should endeavor to incorporate these features into the design when feasible, either through outdoor spaces or by introducing nature indoors. 

The truth is that a change is taking place in the design of healthcare facilities. Functionality, without taking a back seat, has given way to the patient and their well-being. To achieve this, one of the most useful and simple measures with a better cost-benefit ratio is patient-friendly hospital design.

A well-distributed environment with fresh air, with a good proportion of openings to the outside and good natural lighting, provides improvements in the health of patients and healthcare personnel. From reducing hospitalization time to reducing patient mortality, reducing pain, reducing stress …

It is betting on the motto “home away from home”.

In conclusion, the primary objective of interior designing in a hospital is to construct an environment that nurtures well-being and caters to the unique needs of the patients and their families. By taking into account the factors discussed above, designers can shape spaces that offer a safe, comfortable, and caring experience for patients in healthcare facilities. In doing so, we at Mishkat Sante, contribute to a more compassionate, patient-centered healthcare experience for patients and their families through hospital design. For patient-friendly and efficient designing of a hospital, you may contact on admin@mishkat.org.pk and call/what’s app on +923394017634.