Designing Exam Rooms That Improve Healthcare Outcomes
Among the advanced economies of the world, the United States spends the most on healthcare—$2.9 trillion annually—with the worst outcomes. While the solution to this problem is far from simple, one important element in the process of improving healthcare outcomes is the design of healing spaces — and particularly the exam room.
As many changes are being made to healthcare processes before, during, and after care, healthcare organizations can utilize their interior space as a highly leverageable and pivotal asset to success. In particular, the exam room — where the most personal and immediate care takes place — should be designed to meet people’s needs in an effort to improve their healthcare experience. Through the analysis of extensive research in health and healing outcomes, the following principles are deemed important to exam room design:
Two-way learning is essential for effective healthcare. The care team, patients and families all play important roles. When patients participate in developing an action plan, they tend to be more engaged in their care. Because patients all have different learning styles and acuity levels, effective exam rooms leverage multiple ways of presenting information. Increasingly, shared learning may include viewing digital information from the patient’s as well as the care team’s mobile devices.
Family or other support persons in the exam room are important partners. Accommodating physical or virtual presence helps ensure that important information is shared, understood and factored into decisions about care.
Maintaining personal relationships between patients and staff is vital for satisfaction. Even as payers alter reimbursement systems, efficiency remains an important measure of healthcare effectiveness. Efficient, well-equipped spaces that simultaneously support interaction with care team members can help efforts to improve patient satisfaction and ease staff burnout.
To be effective versus intrusive, technology must be seamlessly incorporated and carefully managed. Mobile devices, apps and web-based information are new tools for diagnosis and treatment, accessing and sharing information, and communicating effectively. When everyone can easily and equally view and share digital information, it has the potential to boost collaboration and shared decision making.
For the full spectrum of healthcare design applications, Healthcare: Time for Change 2.0 combines 18 studies and 15,000 hours of research into insights and practical solutions. Read more exam room findings on page 25.
We would love to brainstorm ways to improve the patient experience in your healthcare facility. Connect with us here or at info@custerinc.com.
Custer is proud to bring you insights from our partner, Steelcase.
