To support a heavier patient population, hospitals are making structural changes and buying new equipment to accommodate bariatric patients and their family members, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review website.
"Every facility has to address [obesity] now because it's so incredibly common," said Joan Suchomel, AIA, president of the American Institute of Architects Academy of Architecture for Health.
Health systems are now considering a patient's entire experience at the hospital.
Every doorway and hallway along a patient's path throughout the hospital must be wide enough to accommodate the patient.
Extreme Weather: The Maintenance-Resilience Link
Encompass Health Lower Providence Opens in Pennsylvania
Intermountain Health Acquires Fairbourne Building for Healthcare Hub and Medical Campus Conversion
Cooling Towers at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln Test Positive for Legionella
Prefabricated Wall Panels Accelerate UCF Lake Nona Medical Center Construction