Chapter 14 Commercial Interior Design Applications 485 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. According to Roz Cama, Principal, Cama, Inc., an expert in healthcare design, stress is at the core of most individuals’ healthcare experiences. Commercial designers who specialize in healthcare design have a real opportunity to improve experiences in these public facilities by reducing occupant stress. An occupant may be a patient, the staff, or the family. Designing spaces that allow a caregiver to relax helps him or her stay engaged and focused on helping patients heal. The staff retreat needs to be a quiet environment with pleasing views, natural light, comfortable seating, and distractions from daily work. A designer typically works with the following common spaces when designing a healthcare facility: ■ reception area, Figure 14-4 ■ waiting areas ■ public restrooms ■ checkout area ■ records department fi le storage/retrieval, insurance processing, billing ■ exam rooms for patients ■ lab spaces and X-ray areas ■ private doctors’ offi ces ■ break rooms If the healthcare facility is a hospital, its design needs to include specialty fl oors for surgery, pediatrics, obstet- rics, and oncology. In addition to emergency room facili- ties, a kitchen and cafeteria, lobby, pharmacy, chapel, and administrative offi ces may also be requirements. Formerly, the interiors of healthcare facilities were quite sterile in appearance. Today, many are visually stimulating to inspire an upbeat, encouraging attitude—especially in the pediatrics wing. Bathrooms and restrooms for patients have become more spa-like, and patient rooms have more comfortable amenities similar to those of a nice hotel room. Wayfi nding, the way to orient and navigate within a public space, is critical in healthcare facilities. The ability to fi nd your way to and through a public facility is important to enhance personal control. Patient Rooms The patient room is very important to achieving a positive healing experience, Figure 14-5. Infection-control strat- egies shape patient room design. No issue has affected the design of inpatient rooms and units more over the past few years than the increased emphasis on control- ling nosocomial (nah-suh-KOH-mee-uhl), or hospital- acquired infections. With current understanding that infection spreads by physical contact more frequently than airborne transmission, there is more emphasis on hand sanitation and contact isolation for patients. For example, it is now evidence-based practice to provide lavatories or hand sanitizers at the entries to patient rooms and in prominent locations throughout the hospi- tal unit. Since supplies and linens are considered contaminated once a patient leaves a room, hospitals are now greatly reducing the amount of supplies stored in the room. Most recent patient-room designs have minimal to zero storage in the room, substituted by either supply carts or built-in nurse servers directly outside the room. Link to History Influences on Healthcare Design Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) was very infl uential in recognizing that hospital cleanliness correlated to patient survival. During the Crimean War, she was able to decrease the death rate of wounded soldiers from 60 percent to two percent in six months. Florence focused on providing patients with access to natural light, healthful food, and a sanitary environment. Of particular importance was her emphasis on fresh air and outdoor views of inviting landscapes. These recommendations are very similar to sustainable design strategies in use today. Analyze It! Read and analyze two or more reliable articles that present concepts and information about healthcare design today. How does this information relate to the early infl uence of Florence Nightingale? Write an informative summary effectively analyzing the content of the articles.