A cluttered environment can affect patient experience

Cluttered equipment gives the impression of chaos, confusion and lack of cleanliness


On an inpatient unit in a hospital, cluttered equipment gives the impression of chaos, confusion and lack of cleanliness, according to  an article posted on LinkedIn by Iahn Gonsenhauser, chief quality and patient safety officer at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

The combination of feelings results in a sense of vulnerability. Equipment not in use should be kept “off stage,” Gonsenhauser wrote.

In a small space, a conversation between a medical assistant and a physician about an upcoming vacation, audible to someone sitting and waiting in an exam room, leaves the impression of lack of priority or lack of professionalism. 

Non-work-related interactions or activities should also be kept off stage so as not to impact customer perceptions adversely.

Read the article.



March 13, 2019


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


Mon General Succumbs to Phishing Cyberattack

Its investigation ultimately determined that an unauthorized party gained access to certain Mon General email mailboxes on May 6, 2026.


The HVAC Dilemma: To Repair or Replace?

Healthcare facilities that keep repairing and optimizing aging systems past their useful life spend money on a problem they cannot solve without capital investment.


Department of Veterans Affairs Signs Lease for Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Kentucky

Construction and facility preparation are expected to be completed by the winter of 2027, and the first patient should be seen by spring 2028.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.