Elements of a patient-centered hospital room identified

(HealthDay)—As a result of a study published online March 15 in the Health Environments Research & Design Journal, a theoretical design framework has been generated for patient hospital rooms.

Emily S. Patterson, Ph.D., from The Ohio State University in Columbus, and colleagues elicited reactions from patients and family caregivers to intentional room elements embedded in a set of five full-scale simulated room prototypes. Two of the five rooms were toured by small groups of patients and caregivers who provided written and verbal evaluations of room features. A codebook was generated using a grounded theory approach, and the frequency of codes were identified; codes and memos were grouped into emerging themes. Insights from emergent themes were compared with findings from written surveys relating to the importance of elements of room design.

The researchers generated a theoretical design framework, which showed that patients expect a hospital room that provides the core components of comfort to promote healing. In addition, they wish to have a room that facilitates a strong sense of connection to people and the world outside, allows quick and independent access to their belongings, and offers suitable levels of control during their hospital stay.

"Some of the findings are inexpensive and possible to incorporate, even without changing architectural design," Patterson said in a university news release. "Each change can improve the patient and family experience by reducing unnecessary stress and anxiety and enhancing the healing process."

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