A Visual Reference for Evidence-Based Design

The long awaited book by noted leader in research-based design, industry expert and CHD board member Jain Malkin

Published by The Center for Health Design with a grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Publication date: March 2008

See why writing this book was a "journey of discovery" for Jain

This timely book arrives as the U.S. is experiencing the biggest boom in hospital construction in history and on the verge of a major upheaval in healthcare reform. With the graying of the boomer generation, new medical centers are in planning or under construction in every metropolitan area and beyond. It is crucial that the design of new and replacement facilities be based on the best evidence available. The built environment is a powerful force in shaping a patient's experience and can even influence patient clinical outcomes; this is why evidence-based design is fundamental to the process.

Jain Malkin's lively writing style makes research and evidence-based design read like an adventure story with fascinating discoveries at every turn. With a zeal for fact finding, she reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed journal articles on the built environments' influence on patient care and analyzed dozens of new patient centerd projects. In the process, she uncovered the evidence by which to make healthcare facility design more effective. The result is a snapshot of how visionary planners and healthcare leaders are reinventing acute care in the 21st century.

She leads the reader on a journey through a vast number of topics and captures the essence of what is going on around the country in healthcare as major new projects unfold to reveal bold new approaches to patient care. Not content merely to report the findings of research studies, she connects the dots to explain why this empirical data is important and points to the implications for healthcare settings. Two themes, the patient experience and patient safety are interlaced through every chapter. To this end, she puts a premium on reducing stress, fatigue, medical errors and hospital acquired infections. Everything you ever wanted to know about hospital-acquired infections is explained: the characteristics of pathogens, how infections are spread, regulatory requirements, the controversy about antimicrobials, and the implications for design professionals. Jain also explores the complexities of medical space planning for nursing units in insightful detail.

The format of this beautiful hardback book makes it easy to use. A must-read for design professionals, healthcare providers, and leaders alike.

• Reveals bold new approaches to patient care
• Explains basic research tools and methods
• Offers a step-by-step guide to creating a research agenda
• Includes over 300 stunning full color annotated photographs that convey the recuperative powers of life enhancing environments

View the Table of Contents.

Read the Introduction Chapter.

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Center for Health Design Affiliate Members receive a 20% discount on the list price of $199.00. (To receive your Affiliate or Pebble discount please be sure to log in with your member account name and password before purchasing this item from the store.)