Impacting Patient Outcomes Through Design

Abstract

To succeed in today's challenging healthcare environment, hospitals must examine their impact on customers--patients and families--staff and physicians. By using competitive facility design and incorporating evidence-based concepts such as the acuity adaptable care delivery model and the universal room, the hospital will realize an impact on patient satisfaction that will enhance market share, on physician satisfaction that will foster loyalty, and on staff satisfaction that will decrease turnover. At the same time, clinical outcomes such as a reduction in mortality and complications and efficiencies such as a reduction in length of stay and minimization of hospital costs through the elimination of transfers can be gained. The results achieved are dependent on the principles used in designing the patient room that should focus on maximizing patient safety and improving healing. This article will review key design elements that support the success of an acuity adaptable unit such as the use of a private room with zones dedicated to patients, families, and staff, healing environment, technology, and decentralized nursing stations that support the success of the acuity adaptable unit. Outcomes of institutions currently utilizing the acuity adaptable concept will be reviewed.

Acuity-adaptable patient room from the patient’s perspective

“…[5,7] This room concept is suited for population of patients that are homogenous with predictable outcomes. [17][18][19][20] With this study our study population were renal transplant patients.…”

“…Similar studies about favorability of this kind of room mentioned that patient safety is safeguarded by decrease intra-hospital handover thus reducing the risk of errors. [2,[22][23][24][25] Landro and Page mentioned reduction of medication errors [17,24] and Clark et al [26] noted reduction of mortality rate from 4.2% to 0% as well as a notable reduction of postoperative extubation median from 9.9 to 5.0 hours.…”

“…[1] Physician-owned specialty hospital, MedCath with acuityadaptable patient room designs won a national award for its design in recognition of high rating on patient satisfaction. [17,27] that resulted in broadening their hospital's market base. Swan et al [28] reported that physicians and nurses positively gauge the appeal of the acuity-adaptable room, while patient favors the service factor.…”

Acuity-Adaptable Patient Room Improves Length of Stay and Cost of Patients Undergoing Renal Transplant

“…The baby boomers (a person in the age range of 40 to 60 year) have higher expectations and are forcing hospitals to abandon the traditional conveyor-belt approach to care, where patients are transferred from unit to unit in search of the proper level of care. 1 It is important to note that imbedded in the boomer generation is the nurse who is also aging. Currently, the projected average age of the nurse is 45.4; it is expected to increase to 47 by 2010.…”

“…However, the patient population that fits the acuity-adaptable room are homogenous and with predictable outcomes. 1,2,3,4 SPECIFIC AIMS 1. Improve patient outcomes and satisfaction through the implementation of a single-room, acuity-adaptable patient room to provide care following renal transplantation.…”