By Healthcare Facilities Today

Three modern trends making waves in healthcare design include the move toward making facilities feel more like residential establishments, space management and lighting design, according to an article on the Sourceable website.

These trends are part of the push to create more needs-specific environments based around patient familiarity and comfort, accordingto the article. Design decisions can help to create more peaceful places for patients, visitors and employees and to reduce the stress associated with hospitals and clinics.

Most newly designed healthcare facilities are paying particular attention to detail with regard to making patients feel a sense of residential warmth. With mounting research showing the connection between healing and the reduction of stress, designs are evolving to promote homelike comfort, the article said.

Use of space is an important aspect of design — making the most of small spaces while creating functional, comforting environments. In addition, light impacts the ability to perform tasks, controls the body’s circadian system, enables chemical reactions in the body and greatly affects mood.

According to the article, making facilities feel more like residential establishments, space management and lighting design all contribute to patient well-being and staff productivity while also making the experience of visiting healthcare facilities more enjoyable for family and friends. 

Read the article.