As the global focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility magnifies, healthcare facilities are undergoing profound infrastructure transformations to address the modern era’s demands. With climate change increasingly impacting communities worldwide, and the recognition of the significant carbon footprint of the healthcare industry, organizations are reevaluating
Author: Chris Schmidt
The Facility Guidelines Institute has released for public review and comment the drafts of its 2026 codes for health and residential care facilities. Known as “the Guidelines” for many years, the draft 2026 edition features some noteworthy changes. Changes in delivery Previous editions of the Guidelines contained a mix of requirements, guidance and best practices, and the intermingling of code with guidance sometimes caused confusion as to the true minimum requirement. The draft 2026 edition eliminates such opportunities for confusion because all appendix text has been removed from the code documents. When the 2026 edition is released, information previously found…
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for behavioral health is not slowing down anytime soon — projecting it will grow 22% by 2031. At the same time, healthcare systems are realizing the importance of design to address aging facilities and ensure that the next generation of behavioral health facilities prioritizes the well-being and comfort of patients, staff and the community — reducing stigma and prioritizing comfort for those who need it most. The following are trending design considerations for behavioral health patient populations: Adolescent and pediatric patients: When it comes to adolescent and pediatric patients, designing for…
Balancing resources for a predictable experience With the launch of mainstream artificial intelligence, technology entered a new era, inspiring adoption and experimentation among many to whom it was previously inaccessible. The applications seem limitless, leaving industry experts to decipher the implications. AI has changed construction — and our world — forever, so how do we use it effectively and responsibly? As with all technology and innovation, the primary focus is implementing powerful tools to address our industry’s most critical challenges. It’s no secret the construction industry has been grappling with a labor shortage for decades, requiring exceptional creativity to keep…
Transformative power of lighting design creates comfort, promotes healing Lighting plays a crucial role in shaping the patient experience in healthcare settings. It can influence a patient’s mood, comfort level and overall sense of well-being. Harsh, bright lighting can create a sterile and unwelcoming atmosphere, which can be particularly unsettling for patients already feeling vulnerable. On the other hand, soft, warm lighting can create a more inviting and calming environment. Studies have shown that such lighting can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improve sleep quality and even enhance the healing process. The emotional impact of lighting is profound. By…
Community, culture + context key to thoughtful design In the heart of every small town lies a vibrant community, where neighbors are like family and familiar landmarks guide the way. This is the essence of rural healthcare, as well: mutual understanding, shared history, personalized care. The rural healthcare landscape also faces challenges that underscore the pivotal role of healthcare architecture and design in ensuring access, quality and comprehensive care. The U.S. Department of Agriculture quantifies rural areas as those with fewer than 500 people per square mile, or fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. Rural residents live an average of 10.5 miles…
Using various scenarios to plan for a new, renovated or expanded facility — from business-as-usual operations to pandemics and natural disasters — hospital leaders and facility managers can shift their thinking from facilitating near-future operations to long-term financial and operational resiliency. Simply incorporating the idea of resiliency into the planning vocabulary can expand the planning mindset to examine how well a facility and its mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems can absorb disruptions to normal operations. In this sense, it allows a proper examination of flexibility; e.g., turning an ambulance bay into a chemical decontamination area; hiding gas lines and electrical…
Addressing incentive factors, safety + cultural differences When discussing healthcare design, the vernacular among architects and designers must revolve around the patient experience, healing environments and promoting healthier local communities. This familiar verse among healthcare professionals has positioned architects and design firms to create the next best healthcare facility by the formulations of Evidence-Based Design. Then came COVID-19, and the necessity for healthcare facilities to reinvent themselves throughout the pandemic. The world has not been the same and neither has the healthcare workforce, which has been exhausted and burned out from facing COVID-19 since early 2020. As a result, the…
Pediatric hospitals have evolved far beyond the sterile, fluorescently lit institutions of days past. New facilities have child- and family friendly features that create a homelike feel, high-tech efficiencies that enhance treatments and relaxing areas that promote wellness. Post-pandemic improvements and the rise of security issues, artificial intelligence and immersive technologies have elevated expectations by patients, families and staff. The following are trends to watch in 2024: Artificial intelligence is the future of healthcare delivery. It’s important to identify where technology can mitigate risk and impact operational efficiency early in the design process so facilities can support future technology needs.…
