Patient-Centered Design Online

Publication of Institute for Patient-Centered Design, Inc.

November 2014, Issue 29

By: Elizabeth S. Jones

For the first time, this year's design competition winner was selected by Healthcare Design Conference attendees.  In a unique educational session, finalists presented a virtual reality walk-through of their designs to conference attendees, before a jury of pediatric oncology nurses, Hendo's mom, and others experienced in this area.  All conference participants were able to vote on the winning design, which will serve as the set of the 2015 Patient Experience Simulation Lab. 

The three teams selected as finalists (in winning order) are ERDMAN of Madison, Wisconsin (first place); DesignGroup of Columbus, Ohio (second place); and RS&H, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida (third place).  Their submissions feature a number of aspects that address the needs of patients and families.  Some of their most noticeable features include attention to detail, space for family interaction with the patient, and designs that allow adequate space for "kids to be kids" in the inpatient room design. 

Erdman

Mike McKay, Senior Architect and lead for the Erdman team says his team treated the design competition as a typical client.  According to McKay, they were able to use a Virtual Design Studio (VDS) to create a design scheme offering solutions that align with positive patient outcomes.  Erdman, a leader in the patient-centered design realm, has a history of more than 60 years on the ambulatory side of healthcare, according to McKay.  The Evidence Based Design accredited firm was inspired by Hendo's story and used an evidence based design hypothesis for the project.  As a result, some of the team's essential elements include the living room space, sanctity of the private room and the family bed, which played a significant part in Hendo's final days.  McKay explains that the proposed in-patient, as well as out-patient room design set their submission apart from competitors and also showed that Erdman is "literally trying to change healthcare by design."

"Play and discovery for the pediatric population" is the

DesignGroup

underlying motivation for the solution presented by DesignGroup.  The team used the competition as an opportunity to "think out of the box and integrate every great idea" in order to explore new concepts in this area, according to Jane Peters, Principal and team lead.  Peters explains that the shapes puzzle games, often used for toddler learning was the inspiration for the architecture.  This type of design provides opportunity for the patient and family members to find elements of discovery within each private room.  Peters also explains that the design allows the patient "choices for how to occupy the room, depending on day-to-day feelings.  DesignGroup's focus on privacy that is often important to the healing process allowed for the design to be an engaging and healing environment. 

 

RS&H created a design that specifically spoke to the needs of the adolescent patient.  Michael Compton, Designer and team lead for the project explains that RS&H focuses on "supporting their clientele through careful alignment of goals, in-depth expertise, and innovative solutions."  The team used the design competition as a team building exercise.  The firm's belief in "making every effort to positively impact patient care spaces with evidence based decisions" not only shows dedication to positive patient

RS&H

outcomes but also helped move the team into a finalist spot in the competition.  According to Compton, innovation and ingenuity makes the team's footwall the single greatest element of the design.  The team designed a graphic large enough for pediatric patients to engage their providers and family to help mark progress through a "color by numbers" full footwall mural.  Compton describes this design approach as a "positive distraction to positively impact patient's attitudes and in some cases reduce dependency on pharmaceuticals." Compton explains that not only does this design allow the patient to enjoy measuring his health progress but it also helps the patient "understand a finish line" for his treatment.  

 

The competition finalists made an effort to create spaces that are thoughtful, innovative, effective and inspiring.  It is our hope that Hendo's story will inspire exponential change for the benefit of future patients and their families."

The Institute's Partners Are Committed to Making a Difference in 

Patient-Centered Design

 By Elizabeth S. Jones

Nexxspan Healthcare, LLC provides a line of headwall products and equipment management solutions for healthcare, including but not limited to high acuity areas such as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and oncology healthcare environments.  Nexxspan is proud to say that their headwall products have been chosen by a number of prominent hospitals with the top rated and largest private patient rooms in the country.  Because of their "commitment to improve the measure of life," the Institute was proud to partner with Nexxspan to develop the NICU Simulation Lab at the 2013 Healthcare Design Conference.  Nexxspan continues to support this lab by donating exhibit space in its metro Atlanta facility to present the 2014 Simulation Lab workshops and to support continued research and innovation of the space.  This year, Nexxspan has also renewed its commitment to the patient-centered design movement by supporting the 2014 Family Centered Cancer Care Space Design Competition.  Chad Langville, Director of Sales and Marketing for Nexxspan Healthcare explains that a large passion and primary focus for the company is women and children's health.  "The company is able to effectively design products and accessories that help clinicians do their jobs and provide better outcomes for end users," according to Langville.  As a partner, committed to the mission of patient-centered design, Langville explains that Nexxspan is proud to house the NICU lab and looks forward to this year's virtual component, as well as construction of the Patient & Family Centered Cancer Care Space in 2015.

Tranquil Systems International has developed a series of demountable walls that were an essential part of the NICU Simulation Lab.  The Tranquil product features removable and reusable functionality that made it possible for the Simulation Lab to be erected quickly at the 2013 and 2014 conferences and reconstructed with ease in the workshop lab that has been used year-round in Atlanta, GA.    The Tranquil System, Field-Fit Assembly added simplicity to the reassembly of the Simulation Lab once it was transported to its new home.  Tranquil believes in products that are "fast, flexible, and affordable".  It is because of the convenience and sound reducing element of the product, as well as the commitment to the needs of the end user, that the Institute is proud to partner with Tranquil again this year.

Each year, the Patient Experience Simulation Lab projects rely on Architecture Interactive, powered by WorldViz, LLC, to deliver an exciting virtual reality component.  WorldViz is partnering with the Institute for the third consecutive year to provide a powerful experience in which participants are able to walk through a 3D model of the space.  This year, Healthcare Design Conference attendees viewed in virtual reality the top three projects in the Family Centered Cancer Care Design Competition.  This enabled the design teams to walk through their models and demonstrate the design features from the family's perspective.  According to Tammy Thompson, the Institute's president, "this technology has become an essential part of the Institute's programs each year; and we are grateful for WorldViz's commitment to create such a meaningful experience for our attendees."

The 2014 Family-Centered Cancer Care Environment