Is there proof that the physical environment influences healing?
Yes, and this concept is known as “evidence-based design.” There is some strong scientific evidence, for example, supporting the advantages of single-patient rooms, which have been shown not only to provide better infection control but also to impact a wide range of issues, from improved comfort and privacy for patients and families to reduced medical errors related to transferring patients between rooms during hospitalization. Q: Have patients and families influenced medical and architectural planners? A: Their influence has been transformational. It began in the 1970s and ’80s when women began asking for (or should I say demanding) a more humane labor, delivery and recovery experience with a more home-like atmosphere. Children’s hospitals led the way in recognizing the importance of involving families and introduced innovations such as rooming-in and family-centered care. These innovations have now expanded to include all areas of care for all types of patients. Q: How are these conc
