Blogs - July 2014
Public awareness called key to healthy design
Facility owners need more comprehensive data to support investments in healthier building practices and products, study says
7/31/2014
Designing to prevent HAIs
From design to maintenance, engineering can help prevent HAIs and ultimately improve patient health and satisfaction, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/31/2014
N.C. facility plans $16.5 million ER expansion
CaroMont Health expansion will increase the size of its emergency department by nearly 70 percent
7/31/2014
Trends in senior living design
Experts identified and discussed the driving trends in senior living design at Senior Living Design Symposium
7/31/2014
Hospital face scaled back future
Massive structures are transitioning into multiple smaller buildings across the community
7/30/2014
Mayo Clinic renovation design a team effort
Clinic exam and hospital suites were designed with the help of staff
7/30/2014
Cincinnati hospital's facade honors region's artistic history
West Hospital project involved an artistic vision, mock-ups, a dose of technology and a leap of faith, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/30/2014
Nursing station design must consider patient care issues
Varied use of nursing stations presents complex and challenging issues to designers
7/29/2014
Soliant Health names 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals for 2014
The specialty healthcare staffing provider named McKay-Dee Hospital Center in Ogden, Utah, the winner
7/29/2014
Study says good physical work environment = effective nurses
Physical work environments affect registered nurses (RNs) and their ability to complete tasks, communicate and do their jobs efficiently
7/28/2014
Gardens in long-term care settings benefit dementia patients
Gardens promote relaxation, stimulate memories, encourage activity and reduce agitation among residents who have dementia, according to an article on the Long-Term Living website
7/28/2014
Comfortable work environments boost productivity
Providing a comfortable setting has become a healthcare priority for productivity, recruitment and retention, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/28/2014
Iowa hospital begins $138.5 million ER renovation, expansion
New seven-story tower planned for Genesis Medical Center - Davenport to improve service time
7/25/2014
Changes expected for Chinese healthcare market
Discretionary spending on healthcare will rise and lead to an increase in access control and availability for the consumer, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/25/2014
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital designed with welcoming architecture
New Nebraska facility's humanistic look reflects its emphasis on holistic rehabilitation, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/24/2014
Practice Greenhealth awards winners announced
Awards are given each year to honor outstanding programs that reduce a healthcare facility's environmental footprint
7/24/2014
Wisconsin healthcare campus designed for water conservation
The University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics incorporates water sustainability measures
7/23/2014
Colorado facility adds hydro therapy rehabilitation pools
Orchard Park Health Care Center focuses on luxury as well as therapy
7/23/2014
Designing a hybrid operating room
Imaging equipment tools must now be permanently integrated into hybrid ORs
7/23/2014
Mercy Health designed for future flexibility
Cincinnati facility ready for the evolution of services in years to come, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/23/2014
ASHRAE building automation systems guideline available
Guideline gives building automation system designers background information, recommendations for good practice and project considerations
7/23/2014
Children's hospital sports playful design
Theme for newest building at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital is 'The Power of Play'
7/23/2014
New Australian hospital takes green path
$1.76 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital in Western Australia is an example of how sustainable building practices can affect well-being
7/22/2014
Texas hospital designed for community wellness
Resolute Health Hospital campus features a fitness center, health-oriented restaurants and walking trails
7/22/2014
U.S. and Chinese health design trends compared
The discusion was part of the 15th Hospital Build and Infrastructure China Exhibition and Congress, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/22/2014
East Tennessee Children's Hospital plans surgery and NICU expansion
Project's goal is to strengthen the hospital's regional recognition and brand by improving operations and elevating the quality of pediatric care, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/21/2014
Healthcare facility stairs hold unused potential
Clearly marked, easily accessible and safe stairwells can be a simple way to encourage activity, according to a blog on the Healthcare Design website by Editor-in-Chief Kristin D. Zeit
7/18/2014
More data available for informed design decisions
The body of knowledge and research is increasing dramatically for healthcare designers
7/17/2014
Washington hospital opens new cafe with sustainable menu, healthy choices
EvergreenHealth's Cafe 128 offers local, seasonal and sustainable foods and ingredients that support the system's Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge
7/16/2014
Chicago-area hospital plans major expansion
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove plans an expansion to add more private rooms
7/16/2014
Children's hospital lounge caters to families
Hasbro Children's Hospital lounge is modeled after Dunkin Donuts' restaurant concept and features donated coffee, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/16/2014
Prefabrication or modularization can boost project efficiency
Both methods reduce waste and improve speed of construction
7/16/2014
Does evidence-based design translate?
An article on the Healthcare Design website discusses whether U.S.-evidence-based design delivers similar outcomes abroad
7/15/2014
Syracuse medical center gets $2.5 million from state for expansion
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center undergoing a $265 million facility expansion
7/14/2014
Reconfiguring healthcare space for new technology comes with challenges
To keep up with medical advancements, facilities are renovating to accommodate new state-of-the-art equipment, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/14/2014
Kaiser Permanente Oakland replacement hospital opens
Twelve-story, 349-bed hospital is directly across the street from the medical center it replaces
7/11/2014
Medical equipment planning key to project success
The involvement of strong clinical consultants, medical equipment planners and biomedical engineers is called critical
7/11/2014
LEED rating system putting focus on product content
U.S. Green Building Council VP talks about how the system is helping to drive material disclosure in a blog on the Healthcare Design website
7/9/2014
Missouri hospitals find it's becoming easier to go green
LED and compact fluorescent bulbs, reusable and recycled materials and energy efficient heating and air-conditioning units are more readily available
7/8/2014
Teck Acute Care Centre design separates public, patient and staff flows with few crossovers
One of the central design objectives of the Vancouver, B.C., facility is to improve care delivery by optimizing access and flow, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/8/2014
Affordable Care Act expected to bring more outpatient facilities
Increase in insured patients expected to send more patients to outpatient care rather than the emergency room
7/7/2014
Boston-area hospital receives 'Greenhealth' award
Newton-Wellesley Hospital honored for environmental achievements in the healthcare sector
7/7/2014
Study finds building design can influence patient behavior
Images of curves in building exteriors and interiors may make people more fearful, according to an article on the Healthcare Design
7/7/2014
Buffalo hospital adds 'safe room' in ER
Buffalo General Medical Center converts existing bay to better treat patients with behavioral health issues
7/3/2014
Building product transparency basics
Healthcare projects can now earn LEED points for using environmental product declarations (EPDs) and health product declarations (HPDs), according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/3/2014
Design solutions for healthcare wayfinding
The design of the environment should include intuitive wayfinding from the start of the campus master-planning process
7/3/2014
Facade design may help the healing process
With imaginative thinking and the latest technology, the facade can unify the demands required of healthcare building facilities
7/2/2014
Bathroom designs address safety with style
While patient bathrooms are being re-evaluated with an eye on comfort, safety is still the key concern, according to an article on the Healthcare Design website
7/2/2014