Creating a palliative care unit within a hospital means redesigning an existing space or the creation of a new one. In either case, according to a recent article in Health Facilities Management Magazine, the physical environment - along with the medical personnel - will influence the success of the treatment.
Palliative care comes after the high activity of seeking a cure or reversing a disease. The care still continues, however, and can increase exponentially, accordion to the article. A palliative care plan will include symptom control and pain management as well as counseling.
For a PCU within the hospital a quiet space with natural lighting is preferable. Key component of effective palliative care room include:
• Natural light.
• Light fixtures, clocks and Internet access.
• Floor and ceiling finishes.
• Artwork.
• Televisions and stereo systems.
• Hospital-based electronic systems.
• Patient and family storage.
The goal for a PCU room is to create a homelike environment. The aesthetic should approach a spalike setting, according to the article. Colors and furnishings, as well as lighting and artwork should be chosen to offer a sense of calm and comfort for both patient and family.
Read the article.
Aligning Construction and Facility Activities to Minimize Problems
Cooper University Health Care Breaks Ground on 'Project Imagine'
3 Employees Injured by Patient at Halifax Infirmary's Emergency Department
How Architects Shape the Future of Healthcare Facilities
UNC Health, Duke Health Form Partnership for Stand-alone Children's Hospital