The design of health care facilities has a direct impact on the experience of care for patients and families. Design can facilitate or hinder effective communication among patients, families, and health care professionals. It also shapes the attitude and practices of staff. Architects, interior designers, and other design professionals can use the principles and strategies of patient- and family-centered care to improve the built environment and thereby contribute to improve outcomes, greater safety, higher satisfaction, and cost efficiencies.
The design planning process should be collaborative-involving patients, families, administrators, physicians, and staff across all disciplines and at all levels. The patient and family experience of care should be integral components of a health care facility's vision, philosophy, definition of quality, and should influence the planning process, the design, and the allocation of space for both new construction and for renovations.
Profiles of Design
Patient- and family-centered principles, processes, and approaches are both supported by and expressed in health care environments. Read More
“The parents on this [design] committee truly gave of their time.”
Director of Neonatology
Christiana Hospital
Newark, Delaware
“...The blueprint approval document was passed around for signatures... there in front of me was a line marked "Patient Advisor" which I signed indicating my approval... I feel I have had a unique and honoring experience.”
Cardiology Patient Advisor
Design Planning Committee
MCG Health System
Augusta, Georgia