Can Hospital Buildings Heal?
I read the statement today, “hospital buildings can heal,” and something about it struck me as wrong. “Hospital buildings can heal” implies that there are no other factors in healing, such as treatment methods, physician expertise, or caregiver support.
My computer dictionary defines “heal” as 1. to make a person or injury healthy or whole 2. to be repaired or restored naturally, for example, by the formation of scar tissue 3. to repair or rectify something that causes discord and animosity 4. to get rid of a wrong, evil, or painful affliction.
In the context of what we are talking about here, the #1 definition makes the most sense. So, can hospital buildings make a person or injury healthy or whole? Of course not. But we do know that the design of the physical environment can positively affect patient and staff outcomes, thereby improving the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.
Hospital buildings cannot heal, but they can affect the healing process. We are way past the place where they were just viewed as bricks and mortar to house what goes on within. Florence Nightingale was one of the first in healthcare to recognize this. Hospital buildings are part of an integrated system of people, technology, and culture that delivers care and helps people to heal.