Nurses involved in hospital design

This artist’s concept depicts a nursing care station in an inpatient unit of the new health complex. A main nursing station like this one, along with other smaller decentralized stations throughout a unit, are becoming the standard for enhancing the quality and efficiency of nursing care. Decentralized stations reduce travel time which increases nursing time at the bedside.

The new health complex is more than just a new building. The space has been designed to promote:

• a healing environment with natural light and views
• a healthy environment with walking paths and gardens
• a safe and secure environment with decentralized care stations and controlled access in select areas
• ongoing learning, teaching and education
• an improved patient and family experience with accessible public spaces and patient washrooms, bedside entertainment units and private rooms
• best practices in infection prevention and control
• opportunities for training and development in new programs for cancer care, cardiac catheterization and tertiary mental health

Improving the patient and family experience the highest priority

When the design process for the new health complex and cancer centre began in 2007, Niagara Health System nurses and professional staff were critical to linking the opportunities provided by the creation of a high-tech building with high-quality care.

“Well-designed care environments support practitioners to deliver safe and effective care, while at the same time contribute positively to the patient’s healing journey,” says Interim President and CEO Sue Matthews.

The involvement of staff and the public in defining the priorities of the new hospital began in 2007 with a visioning session, followed by two years of user group sessions involving front-line staff who had the opportunity to further refine the needs of programs. Eight guiding principles for the design process came as a result of the visioning process.

“It came as no surprise that the highest priority identified by staff was to improve the patient and family experience, followed by a focus on a healthy work environment,” says Gloria Kain, Chief Planning and Development Officer.

Additional priorities

Additional priorities include the focus on infection prevention and control, as well as improved learning/training and educational environments and opportunities.

“Given the challenges facing hospitals today, care environments must promote integrity of the clinical encounter, empower the patient, focus on relief of suffering and promote long-term health and wellness, which contribute significantly to both client and staff satisfaction,” says Sue.

A healing environment

“Our new hospital includes many patient-centred design principles such as private rooms, easy wayfinding, large corridors, interiors that suggest openness and calm, larger rooms to accommodate patient ambulation, the avoidance of intrusive technology, as well as incorporating many green design features,” adds Sue.

To improve the patient/family experience, the architects designed brighter spaces that foster a healing environment, more accessibility to help patients feel more in control, and features that promote healthy lifestyle choices.

With focus on a healthy work environment, spaces were designed to promote staff and patient safety, with features designed to reduce anxiety and strain, thus contributing to staff satisfaction.

This interactive approach provided the basis for the design that is currently under construction at more than 50% completion.

Development of the state-of-the-art facility is on schedule, on budget and on scope for completion by November 26, 2012. Following a few months for training and orientation, the new health complex will open its doors to provide patient care in the spring of 2013. «