When a person needs medical care, the hospital setting plays an important role in their recovery. Hospital design affects patient comfort, healing, and safety—key factors in successful treatment. Hospital administrators, architects, and designers need to prioritize creating a healthy environment that promotes healing.
The design of a hospital should provide patients with a sense of safety while they are receiving care. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance in a hospital setting. It is important that places such as patient rooms, lobbies, and hallways are kept free of dirt and germs. Additionally, a hospital should provide spaces for areas of respite, such as outdoor gardens, healing gardens, and courtyards.
The layout of a hospital should maximize efficiency, from the moment a patient walks in to the moment they receive care. Well-thought-out pathways within the hospital will ensure that both patients and staff can find their way around quickly and that hospital staff can respond to emergencies efficiently.
Color and space also play a role in the healing process of a hospital design. Studies show that clinical space is aided visually with bright and calming colors, clean surfaces, and plenty of windows. Natural light has been proven to promote healing and even to lower patients' blood pressure. However, it is important to maintain a safe level of illumination and control the natural light.
Creating a hospital environment that promotes healing requires a lot of strategy and thought. It is essential to ensure that the design of the hospital is both aesthetically pleasing and inviting, while also being practical and safe. By keeping the patient's experience in mind and following the guidelines above, hospitals can achieve an optimal design for their space that will aid the healing process for their patients.
