Sustainable Operations - November 2013
The making of a healthcare design changemaker
Honored designer reshaping the way healthcare is delivered in developing countries
11/27/2013
Hospitals' large energy use a solvable dilemma
Health care retrofits provide numerous other benefits as well, ranging from improved equipment longevity to decreased patient recovery times to a more attractive brand
11/27/2013
New Brunswick hospital to get $200M renovation
Fredericton hospital expansion required to meet needs identified in 2007 report
11/27/2013
Remote monitoring measures the impact of construction on sensitive equipment
Preconstruction testing with representative equipment is the best way to quantify the expected impact of the vibrations of construction activities
11/26/2013
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Advanced Health Science Pavilion designed as gateway
Color, texture, and varied lighting chosen to give patients and staff a feeling of comfort and thoughtful organization makes the building easy to navigate
11/26/2013
The influence of Lean on project team dynamics
The architecture/engineering/construction industry has begun to recognize the value of integration and eliminating waste
11/25/2013
Delaware medical center expansion recognized for design
Bayhealth Medical Center project includes an emergency department and oncology center, supported by a helipad, conference center
11/25/2013
Super storms put focus on building resilient hospitals
Recent events demonstrate that with weather events becoming more and more extreme, healthcare owners may need to reassess the resiliency of their facilities
11/21/2013
Toronto health care facility design lauded for use of sustainable wood
Batchewana First Nations Health Facility recognized for use of wood framing and structural timber construction
11/21/2013
Kids dental clinic uses colorful, open design to extract fear
Seattle Kids Dentistry uses exposed concrete walls and custom wood details to capture the Pacific Northwest aesthetic
11/21/2013
Chicago safety-net hospital designs for the future
Saint Anthony Hospital engages architect to design prototype that would act as a model for cohesive approach to their facilities and future clinics
11/20/2013
Green healthcare design knowledge no longer an 'extra'
Design firms now need to have extensive sustainability expertise even to be considered for new projects
11/19/2013
Olivia Newton John Cancer & Wellness Centre recognized for design
Centre's designers were lauded for capturing outdoor space and natural light in a tight urban setting
11/19/2013
Healthcare design and construction professionals recognized for innovation
The award recognizes a healthcare service company that demonstrates a progressive approach to developing strategic partnerships that have contributed to transforming healthcare through innovation
11/18/2013
Brazilian hospital project's multisensory experience includes aromatherapy
Emotional design concept addressed the main lobby, elevators, main circulation and waiting area, traumatology entrance, cafeteria, and radiotherapy center
11/18/2013
Healthcare facility planning should reflect mission over time
Healthy, flexible and sustainable master planning can be achieved over the life of the campus only if it is implemented, organized and maintained through sound urban design strategies
11/15/2013
Healthcare designers mostly embracing new LEED v4
LEED v4 called the most significant and comprehensive update since LEED's inception,with more aggressive energy and water efficiency prerequisites and credits and unprecedented building product reporting and disclosure requirements
11/15/2013
Building information modeling can advance the health facility planning process
Complex medical technologies present technical, financial, structural and logistical challenges to planners
11/14/2013
Using healthcare landscape architecture to promote healthier lifestyles
Now's the time to re-evaluate how site development of a healthcare campus can contribute to a proactive wellness strategy
11/14/2013
New Vancouver hospital brings new design benchmarks to province
St. Mary's is first British Columbia hospital with all single-occupancy rooms
11/14/2013
Lack of natural light effects patients' sleep, study says
Researchers found the lowest levels of daytime light exposure were tied to worse mood and more fatigue and pain among patients
11/13/2013
Hospital interior design focuses on improving outcomes
We are now in an era of accountability on all levels that impacts design, too
11/13/2013
Hospital's child friendly designs are bright, cheerful distraction
Alabama's Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children built to meet demands of growing population and new technology and to improve patient experience
11/12/2013
Design team talk about Haiti hospital project challenges
Healthcare Design's 'Take Five' series asks healthcare design professionals about what's got their attention
11/12/2013
ROI of sustainable healthcare design must be demonstrated
To maximize ROI, sustainability strategies should carefully balance fiscal, sociological and ecological interests- the triple bottom line
11/11/2013
Massachusetts assisted living facility stresses natural light, access to nature
The facility is designed with gables, wrap-around porches, and colonnaded enclosed promenades, and set against a wooded backdrop and manicured landscaping
11/11/2013
Health sector in Indian region going greener
The first to embrace the concept will be the new section of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram
11/11/2013
Healthcare architect experiences hospital room firsthand
The hospital experience can be improved by understanding how patients interact with their physical environment. The practical and emotional implications of space planning and furnishings selection cannot be ignored
11/11/2013
Deinstitutionalizing facility that treats criminals comes with obstacles
West Virginia's William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital behavioral health addition brings concerns related to safety and visual control of all patient-access areas
11/8/2013
Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center brings nature to patients with green roof
Toledo hospital's patients and their visitors can see the park-like setting from over 84 patient rooms, multiple waiting rooms, and visitor lounges
11/8/2013
N.Y. hospital building projects prepare facilities for future superstorms
One year after superstorm Sandy, Coney Island Hospital is building for a future when such storms are routine
11/7/2013
Agnesian HealthCare starts $21 million project expansion project
The 100,000-square-foot project will allow Agnesian to consolidate its podiatry services, expand its space for orthopedics and Sports, Spine and Work Center, and relocate physiatry, neurology services and the dialysis center
11/7/2013
Gathering insights to inform patient-focused design solutions
Designers can capture feedback in various ways, including observation, interviews and focus groups
11/7/2013
Remodeling projects reveal top senior living trends
Facilities are faced with growing pressure from changing care models, market competition, declining building stock and regulatory requirements to update existing environments
11/7/2013
Advanced Energy Retrofit Guide for Healthcare Facilities available for free download
Advanced Energy Retrofit Guides help building owners and managers as well as design and construction professionals plan, design, and implement energy efficiency upgrades in commercial buildings
11/6/2013
New trends seen in healthcare facility design
There has been a push toward patient comfort over the past few years with the aim of changing stark, sterile facilities into comfortable and relaxing places for patients to heal
11/6/2013
Healthcare design for elderly focuses on homelike environment
Competition has increased because of housing slowdown and "aging in place" trend
11/5/2013
Blog asks: What makes a good waiting room?
PBS documentary raises questions about how improved emergency room waiting area design might offer comfort
11/5/2013
Restaurant to clinic renovation serves up challenges
Zoning restrictions, sustainability requirements and one giant billboard all needed to be dealt with
11/1/2013