As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the importance of designing healthcare facilities that prioritize patient experience has become increasingly crucial. It’s crucial to create a space that feels calm and welcoming to patients, particularly in clinical settings where tension and anxiety can run high. Two recent examples of architecture that particularly prioritize the patient experience are the St. Charles Bend Cancer Center and the Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center. Let’s take a look at how each of these facilities has utilized design principles to create a warm, human-centered atmosphere.
St. Charles Bend Cancer Center
The St. Charles Bend Cancer Center was designed by ZGF Architects LLP, and its focus is on utilizing elements of nature to create a peaceful and calming space. The facility provides extensive views of the surrounding mountains and incorporates calming imagery throughout, particularly in the infusion area. Patients start their journey to healing through a verdant garden with a bubbling fountain, and there are outdoor courtyards to encourage relaxation and peace of mind. Infusion rooms are spacious and airy, allowing patients to feel connected to the outside world, which helps to encourage positivity and healing.
One of the most innovative features of the St. Charles Bend Cancer Center is the ceiling design. Infusion rooms have ceilings that are textured with an interlocking pattern, designed to reflect the texture of the forest canopy outside the building. The fine details of the ceiling pattern create a calming and peaceful environment, which helps patients feel more relaxed and at ease during their treatment.
The center also features a family resource center, with a living room, fireplace, and various pieces of furniture that encourage a sense of intimacy and familiarity. These spaces are designed to offer family members of cancer patients a calm and supportive environment to help them relax during their loved ones’ treatment. Overall, the St. Charles Bend Cancer Center is a masterclass in how human-centered design can transform the patient experience, making it less stressful and more conducive to healing.
Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center
The Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center, designed by NexCore Group, also prioritizes the patient experience through its innovative design. The center is designed to feel modern and upscale, with a color scheme that utilizes calming neutrals, blues, and greens.
One of the core design principles in the Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center is efficiency. For instance, waiting areas are designed to be efficient and organized, with patient check-in desks located near the entrance. Additionally, consultation rooms and exam rooms are located close to each other, so patients can easily move between them without getting lost. These design principles help ensure that patients have a seamless and stress-free experience throughout their visit to the center.
The surgery center is designed to prioritize patient privacy and comfort, with spacious pre-op and post-op areas and private recovery bays. The design utilizes natural light and calming colors to create a warm and welcoming environment, which helps to alleviate patient stress and anxiety.
Another innovative feature of the Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center is the use of technology to improve patient care. The center features state-of-the-art surgical suites with cutting-edge surgical technology, which helps deliver the best possible outcomes for patients. The center also offers telemedicine services, allowing doctors to monitor patients remotely and provide consultations as needed.
FAQs
What is human-centered design?
Human-centered design is an approach to design that prioritizes the end user’s experience. It involves creating products, services, and environments that are tailored to meet the specific needs and desires of the people who will be using them.
What are some benefits of human-centered design in healthcare?
Human-centered design in healthcare can have numerous benefits, such as decreasing patient anxiety and stress, improving patient outcomes, increasing staff productivity and satisfaction, and reducing costs associated with medical errors and inefficiencies.
Conclusion
The St. Charles Bend Cancer Center and the Bend Medical Office & Surgery Center are both excellent examples of how human-centered design can improve the healthcare experience for patients. These facilities prioritize patient comfort, convenience, and well-being through innovative design principles that prioritize functionality and emotional well-being. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever to prioritize human-centered design principles, ensuring better outcomes for patients and their families alike.
