Discovering and Defining the role of Nursing in Healthcare design: the importance of being at the table Kate Newcomb-DeSanto MSN RN MSW The University of Pennsylvania Health System
At Penn Medicine since 2004 Various roles How I came to be involved in the PennFIRST Pavilion project A little about our current project and the team
“For the sick it is important to have the best.” ~Florence Nightingale Notes on Nursing Sanatorium Model Discipline Segregation Ward Design
Hospital design evolves with a definite nod to providing a better setting for patients: ¡ More private rooms ¡ Inclusion of family in patient room design ¡ Areas of respite for staff and family ¡ Intelligent use of the environment (natural light, green spaces, healing gardens, products to simulate environmental engagement) ¡ Realization that design can drive a care model (AND vise versa): either successfully OR unsuccessfully ¢ Further, design can drive staffing needs and overall FTE’s.
Consciousness of Space Impact on Practice and Delivery of Care Patient Care Outcomes
What impact does the space in which we practice and care for patients have on HOW we do that? ¡ Leftover or less inclusively planned spaces impact ability of nurses and caregivers to meet patient needs and goals and drive outcomes Determining Care models and Staffing Models and informing design proactively: ¡ Distributed care/supplies/teaming ¡ Colocation of disciplines ¡ Environmental Inclusion and mindfulness (noise reduction via design, technological strategies) ¡ Versatility
Inclusion of Nurses in the design process creates: ¡ An overall inclusive process ¡ The ability to create an environment that supports the chosen/ideal model of care delivery ¡ Less wasted time in the design process, and the potential for monetary savings ¡ A contagious excitement among staff of all levels regarding feeling “listened to” and heard. ¡ A higher performing design team with more favorable outcomes.
What outcomes can be tied to design and what outcomes can be influenced by the inclusion of Nursing in the process? ¡ Creation of a healing environment ¢ Decreased noise ¢ Increased teaming across disciplines ¢ Better air quality, thermal comfort ¢ Privacy ¢ Light ¢ Views of nature and visual serenity/stimulation
Teaming is KEY ¡ Working in a high performing team ¡ Willingness to engage with others ¡ Open mindedness ¡ Inclusive attitude Creating partnerships and identifying “Champions” ¡ Delegation on large scale projects (with oversight) ¡ Creating process and parameters ¡ Identifying decision makers
Now more than ever healthcare organizations are searching for tools and strategies that will reduce error, help mitigate risk, and optimize reimbursements. Does design have a role to play? Of course. But it can’t be considered in a silo. What is required? A systems approach that considers design in the context of the organization, operations, and people. Issues and impacts in six critical safety areas: infections, falls, medication errors, security, injuries of behavioral health, and patient handling
Recommend
More recommend
