When you’re admitted to a hospital, you will be assigned a patient room. The types of rooms vary, but all are designed to be comfortable and calming for patients. In addition, they need to allow for caregivers to move through the space quickly and efficiently. And finally, they need to give families and friends a place to sit or sleep without disrupting the flow of staff and patients. This is no easy task.
The good news is that recent research has shown that the design of a hospital room can have a significant impact on the patient experience, even though health care outcomes depend primarily on medical competency. For example, the design choices of a hospital room can actually reduce pain and stress levels. For instance, large windows can offer a view of nature or gardens. Or, a painting of a natural scene can act as a calming visual distraction. In another study, researchers found that patients were willing to pay for a hospital stay in a hotel-like room with amenities over a standard room.
In the lab, researchers used Ulrich’s theory of supportive design to test the relationship between positive perceptions and perceived control, social support, and negative distractions with a series of experiments in which participants viewed simulated hospitalization scenarios. Multilevel regression analysis revealed that the more favorable design features in a hospital room, the less expected stress the participants reported—and this effect was mediated by the perceptions of social support and positive distraction.
The goal of a hospital is to treat you as quickly and safely as possible, and that requires efficiency. Efficient hospital rooms help caregivers navigate the space quickly, reducing the time it takes to perform tasks and providing them with clear lines of sight throughout the room.
To achieve this, architects have turned to a variety of solutions. For example, ceiling-integrated equipment like IV poles and monitors free up floor space, while integrated supply storage in furniture helps keep the area organized. Also, rooms that have individual basins instead of shared sinks for handwashing improve staff workflow and hygiene.
A patient room’s bathroom can also impact a patient’s experience. Front-located bathrooms can limit visibility to family members and visitors, while rear-located bathrooms can maximize views of the family area and exterior space. Similarly, center-bar bathrooms can provide the best of both worlds, allowing for both visibility and unobstructed family space.
These innovations, combined with a focus on comfort and calming colors, can have a significant impact on a patient’s experience during a hospital stay. Patients may be required to share a room with one or more other patients, depending on the type of care needed. If you would like to have a private room, talk to your doctor or a Preferred Accommodation clerk at the Pre-Admission Clinic or admitting desk to find out more. A daily fee applies, but many extended health benefits cover a portion of this cost. The revenue from this program is invested in ongoing hospital operations and education and training.