With a blink of an eye, it’s 2040 – will your health facility withstand the test of time? Designing for flexibility means “future-proofing” hospitals and clinics. During a session at the 2016 PDC Summit, a C-suite panel cited flexibility as a top priority for healthcare design. With an unknown future for healthcare, designers must adjust their plans toward a community-centric model – one where designs can be adjusted down the road as needed.
“Considering that more health clinics are moving into the community to serve common patient care needs, designers should consider that hospitals of the future may be treating patients with more serious health conditions,” said Chad Beebe, ASHE’s deputy executive director of advocacy. “This means designers should continue to place a high value on comforting, inviting and adjustable layouts.”
The infographic to the left summarizes a Health Environments Research & Design Journal study that identified 11 design strategies for flexibility. The concept of flexibility in healthcare design is so important and timely that it is the chosen theme of the 2017 PDC Summit & Exhibition.
To learn more strategies for designing a flexible healthcare space, browse sessions offered at the PDC Summit and register to attend.
