Healthcare is evolving at a rapid pace, changing on almost every imaginable front, as patients and caregivers seek improved experiences, outcomes and value.

Engaging patients in healthcare has become a new clinical paradigm. In addition, addressing clinician needs has never been more important. Over half of physicians report at least one sign of burnout – a 10% increase over the past 3 years (Steelcase). Creating spaces that are designed to offer healthcare workers respite will help with attracting and retaining top talent.

We at Red Thread support your commitment to patient- and clinician-focused care by designing for the human factor and optimizing healthcare experiences to connect people, place and technology.

Designing for the Quadruple Aim

Since the launch of the Triple Aim target concept by Institute for Healthcare Improvement in 2008, organizations have simultaneously focused on improving the individual experience of care, improving the health of the general population and reducing the per capita costs of care.

Unfortunately, as healthcare institutions worked to reach these goals, the health and satisfaction of healthcare providers and staff eroded at an alarming rate. To offset this burnout, healthcare organizations recognized a fourth goal: improving the clinician experience.

Applications

Patient Spaces

Self Check-In

Waiting Lobby

Family Waiting

Waiting + Transition

Hallway Waiting Area

Exam Room

Exam Room Multipurpose

Consult Room

Family Consult Room

Patient Room

Patient Room - High Acuity

Infusion

Clinician Spaces

Clinician Hub

Clinician Workstation

Virtual Clinician Hub

Virtual Care Workstation

Healthcare clinician virtual care and collaboration area

Virtual Care + Collaboration

Respite Lounge

Café

Private Office

Flexible Healthcare Spaces

On average, healthcare organizations would invest 20% more in capital costs in order to achieve flexibility throughout the life of the building.

Steelcase, HKS Architects and CADRE conducted a subject matter expert survey* with healthcare decision-makers. Key stakeholders included healthcare administrators, facility and nurse managers and clinical workers. The report defines four key attributes of flexibility for outpatient healthcare environments.

Versatility: the ability or intention for a space to be used for multiple and different functions with limited or zero change to tangible building attributes. A versatile space gives people agency over how they use it.
Modifiability: invites a user or owner to actively change a space or object without needing support from facilities or contractors. Modifiable elements do not require any permanent infill structure change and are among the most popular methods for providing flexibility to a space. Organizations reduce costs using furniture that supports multiple functions or that can be updated without decommissioning it.

Convertability: adapts space for new uses. The space can be changed but will need minor renovation and involve the facilities department. Convertible elements can replace the infill of a building from one functional layout to a different functional layout while keeping the base building the same, which in essence changes the floor plan to perform a different purpose. Organizations can reduce costs with convertibility, but it requires careful planning of the associated mechanical, electrical and plumbing elements that touch the space being converted.
Scalability: allows space to expand or contract. Space can physically grow or shrink but will need minor or major renovation. Scalability is the most complex of the four attributes and typically involves construction expertise to happen effectively.

Blog Posts

Evidence Based Design for healthcare

What is Evidence Based Design? Defined as the process of basing design/build decisions on credible research in an effort to achieve optimal outcomes, evidence based design for healthcare facilities is becoming increasingly popular. The goal is simple: To improve patient and staff well-being, patient healing, stress reduction, and safety. Even as far back as the late 1800’s Florence Nightingale…

How biophilic design impacts wellbeing at work.

According to our friends at Wikipedia biophilia literally means “love of life or living systems.” So biophilic design centers around establishing naturally based habitats for humans to live and work. Designers and Architects who practice biophilic design create spaces in which humans can achieve maximum wellbeing and productivity by incorporating elements derived from nature. First used by Erich Fromm, the noted German social psychologist,…

Taking the lead: the Healthier Hospitals Initiative

Most of us using today’s healthcare system would be interested to know the initiatives that are taking place across the country to encourage healthcare organizations to shift to a more sustainable business model and address environmental impacts. Healthier Hospitals Initiatives (HHI) is a national campaign organized to lead change in the healthcare sector with a call…

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Healthcare is evolving at a rapid pace, changing on almost every imaginable front, as patients and caregivers seek improved experiences, outcomes and value.