Insights & Solutions

Jones, I. G. R., Friedman, S., Vu, M., Awladthani, S., Watts, C., Simpson, A., Al-Farsi, A. A., Gupta, R., Cupido, C., & Choong, K. (2023). Improving Daily Patient Goal-Setting and Team Communication: The Liber8 Glass Door Project*. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

Advancing technology offers a myriad of ways to keep clinical teams and families apprised of care goals, however, sometimes the simplest solution can be effective, too. This study was part of a larger quality improvement initiative (the Liber8 project) of 8 evidence-based care components to minimize complications and improve functional recovery in critically ill kids. A simple $40 door decal was used to document targeted patient goals and progress. The team measured uptake, performance, efficiency and acceptability before and after the implementation. The results were positive, and use actually improved at a measurement point one year following implementation compared to the initial measurement a couple of weeks after the decals had been installed. Even after the organization implemented an electronic health record, teams continued to use the decal as out of sight is out of mind, and the visibility of the solution was seen to be less siloed than the EHR.

Wilson, R. L., Hutton, A., & Foureur, M. (2023). Promoting mental health recovery by design: Physical, procedural, and relational security in the context of the mental health built environment. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing  

Mental health illness, disorder, and distress can require voluntary or involuntary hospitalization with an average length of stay of approximately 14 days. With such long admissions, the perspectives of varied user groups should be incorporated into design to meet physical, procedural and relational security needs. Patient perspectives are often neglected in mental health design, but are important to consider since patients may interpret and experience hospital facilities uniquely. Researchers in Australia conducted interviews and focus groups with various stakeholders including 4 patients, 5 carers (parents of inpatients), and 27 mental health professionals.  The Environmental Design Guide for Adult Medium Secure Services from the United Kingdom (2011) domains of physical security, relational security, and procedural security served as overarching themes. Design recommendations include integrating mental health units into larger health facilities; incorporating nature; designing nursing stations with private areas and without a ‘fishbowl’ style; intentional signage; and spaces to safely accommodate a variety of activities.

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Taylor, A. Murakami, M., Kim, S., Chu R., Riek, L.D.  Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction. Vol. 6, Issue CSCW2, Article No.: 442pp 1–40. https://doi.org/10.1145/3555543.

Joseph, A., Wingler, D., Zamani, Z., (2017). Balancing the Human Touch with the Need for Integrating Technology in Ambulatory Surgical Environments: Barriers and Facilitators to Nursing Work and Care Team Interactions

Major advances in medical technology - paired with changes in Medicare reimbursement policy - have led to rapid growth in outpatient surgery. While many of these advances are beneficial for healthcare organizations and patients, there are challenges in that there is still very little research focused on how the design of ambulatory surgery centers affects nursing work or the critical interactions between staff, patients, and families. In this study, researchers explore the relationship between the physical environment in pre-op and post-op areas of two ambulatory surgery centers.  This study highlights the vital importance of a systems view to understanding the healthcare environment. Taking a close look at the results, design teams may see opportunities to support better workflow through innovative design, including ways to locate pre-op and post-op areas to increase efficient use of the space at all times, not just at peak times.

This one-day virtual workshop provides the latest in design thinking for a variety of behavioral health care and health settings and offers state-of-the-art best practices through thought leader presentations, case studies, and panel discussions. Attendees will have opportunities to pose questions to workshop faculty and interact with fellow attendees in fun and innovative ways.

Together, faculty thought leaders and attendees will explore gaps in the current system and consider the latest in design thinking for healthy aging in various settings across the continuum of care. Presenters will identify state-of-the-art best practices and possible new solutions that enhance access to nature, engagement with technology, resilience, and meaning and purpose. Through presentations, case studies and panel discussions, attendees will gain new insights, have opportunities to pose questions to workshop faculty, and interact with fellow attendees in fun and innovative ways.  

As individuals age, physical, mental, and societal challenges become more prevalent. This intensive virtual workshop explores those obstacles and discusses programming and design interventions that can assist individuals and care givers. Expert faculty will present examples that integrate architecture, design and technology into living environments that are not only safe, but foster wellness and longevity.

As individuals age, physical, mental, and societal challenges become more prevalent. This intensive virtual workshop explores those obstacles and discusses programming and design interventions that can assist individuals and care givers. Expert faculty will present examples that integrate architecture, design and technology into living environments that are not only safe, but foster wellness and longevity.