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NOVEMBER 2021
Almost Normal
While it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces at last month’s Healthcare Design Conference + Expo in Cleveland, I know those of you who were unable to attend were there in spirit.
And what a spirited event it was! The four days were filled with a renewed sense of promise and excitement. Reconnecting with old friends, diverse educational programs, an expo hall full of new products, and social events to catch up and celebrate together gave the event a sense of surprising and much-needed normalcy.
For me, highlights included this year’s keynote speaker, “Tech-Humanist” Kate O’Neill, who issued a high-energy call to action to leverage technology as a way to solve some of today’s more pressing issues. Her optimism and exuberance engaged the audience to understand how they can be a part of the solution. Learn more about Kate’s work at https://www.koinsights.com/.
We at The Center for Health Design were honored to bestow the Russ Coile Lifetime Achievement Award to architect and educator Frank Zilm, and The Changemaker Award to architect and Doctor of Medicine George Tingwald. Links to their career videos, as well as to this year’s Touchstone and Healthcare Environment Award winners can be found here on our website.
Frank and George sat down with Center Board member Barry Rabner for a timely discussion on where they see the industry heading. Look for a Center-hosted Voices of the Industry webinar in the near future continuing the conversation.
And be sure to mark your calendars now for next year’s conference, October 8-11 in San Antonio, Texas. (The Call for Presentations is now open - deadline is January 13, 2022.) I look forward to seeing you there.
Be well,
Debra Levin, Hon. FASID, EDAC
President and CEO
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PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT
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Vernacare Single-Use Disposal Systems
Over 16 million people contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) each year, with a mortality rate of approximately 6%. Inadequate waste disposal practices put patients at risk of HAIs and can lead to patient mortality and health systems’ financial loss.
Manually emptying and cleaning reusable waste disposal containers is a high-risk procedure, creating aerosols that can result in environmental contamination and a risk of spread of pathogenic organisms, including COVID-19, Norovirus, and Clostridium difficile.
Vernacare’s single-use disposal systems incorporate bio-degradable bedpans, bowls and urinals that use touchless disposal technology and create a more hygienic, safe, and efficient solution for infection prevention and reduced patient, staff and caregiver exposure risks.
Working with leading infection preventionists and clinicians around the world, evaluations of Vernacare’s solutions’ impact on clinical outcomes and staff satisfaction have been published in Healthcare Quarterly and the American Journal of Infection Control.
Learn more here.
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Free Tools & Resources
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Interactive Design Diagram: Dementia-Friendly Waiting Room
Healthcare is provided in a variety of settings, from a person's home to outpatient clinics, to the hospital. While the settings and specific design elements may differ across the continuum of care, the objectives of safety, efficiency, satisfaction, and high quality care remain constant.
The interactive design diagrams provide a link between the evidence base, design strategies, and desired outcomes - in a visually intuitive and actionable format.
Our most recent diagram addition is the Dementia-Friendly Waiting Room. By translating person-centered design strategies drawn from dementia-focused design interventions in residential settings, a dementia-supportive waiting room can support equitable access for the broadest range of patients in any healthcare setting.
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5 Impacts of COVID-19 on Healthcare Facility Design and Technology
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When we think about the direct impact COVID-19 has had on our lives, healthcare technology and design might not be top of mind. We think about lives lost, financial hardships, and vaccines that have continued to provide hope. As we continue to navigate the effects of the pandemic, it’s crucial to understand the way the future of facility management will shift with these technological advancements and facility design updates in healthcare.
Healthcare Facilities Today, read more...
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ACHA Releases Landmark 'Future of Healthcare Task Force Report'
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The American College of Healthcare Architects recently released its landmark “Future of Healthcare Task Force Report” that examines healthcare design and provides recommendations that architects and facility managers should consider to improve access to healthcare in a post-pandemic world.
Medical Construction & Design, read more...
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What is Equity in Architecture and Design?
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In architecture and industrial design, equity means offering equal conditions for different users. Apart from projects that incorporate accessibility and the principles of universal design, equity can be found in small details such as windows at different heights in a kindergarten classroom, allowing everyone in the room to have contact with the outside world regardless of their height. These solutions sound simple but they prove that the architecture is designed to embrace diversity, by incorporating the peculiarities of individuals, creating equal opportunities for users.
ArchDaily, read more...
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EVS Considerations in Hospital Design
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EVS professionals have always played a crucial part in preventing the spread of infection. With a heightened public awareness of hygiene sparked by the pandemic, the role of EVS is more important than ever. Redesigning with EVS professionals in mind helps them become more efficient so the facility can provide a higher level of care. When EVS professionals are properly equipped, HAIs are prevented, and patients and staff members benefit.
Health Facilities Management, read more...
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ABOUT US
The Center for Health Design is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is to transform healthcare environments for a healthier, safer world through design research, education and advocacy. Learn more. For information about sponsor or partnership opportunities, contact our VP of Relationship Development, Randy Carter.
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