In healthcare facilities, with the very nature of healing at its core, designing spaces with enhanced levels of human comfort is of prime importance. Daylighting in healthcare facilities has benefited the physiological and psychological well-being of patients receiving treatment. However, many decades of scientific and technological innovation in the field of electrical lighting have resulted... Read more »
Pediatric care and the built environments that support it have been experiencing rapid disinvestment in the United States—regional and local pediatric units are being shut down throughout the country.1,2,3,4,5 There is an urgent need to rethink modern pediatric care models that include low-budget and equitable solutions to meet the growing needs of the population. This... Read more »
This study was carried out during the 2020 COVID pandemic. It aimed to assess the potential benefits of tele-health in addressing the needs of patients with respiratory illnesses who were most vulnerable during the pandemic and require extra precaution to prevent their infection. A proposed solution to tackling one of the hospital’s many challenges during... Read more »
Behavioral health needs are increasing at an alarming rate with one in five adults experiencing a mental illness of varying acuity. Prior research shows that 68 percent of adults with behavioral health conditions also have chronic medical comorbidities. However, current behavioral health services are plagued by access, payment, and provider gaps. The lack of care... Read more »
In the United States, the maternal mortality rate is 23.8 per 100,000 pregnancies representing 861 maternal deaths in 2020.1 Hospitals have made pregnancy a medical condition rather than a life event and it lacks patient-centeredness and empathy.2 To resolve the issue of maternal mortality and solve the physical challenges evolving during care, the need for... Read more »
This research aims to present the impact that COVID-19 had in the field of geriatrics. The article showcases challenges faced and current behavioral trends seen in the elderly population post-pandemic as it pertains to their healthcare needs. The aging population is the most vulnerable group of patients being cared for by the social care systems... Read more »
Employee Retention is a concern for every industry because turnover is costly and disruptive. For healthcare organizations the turnover rate is approximately 16.2% with the average cost of turnover for a bedside Registered Nurse (RN) ranging from $38,900-$59,700. Our healthcare workers continue to be at the front line of the COVID-19 global pandemic where their... Read more »
The threat of wildfires in California has significantly altered quality of life in the region. Adaptation will require fundamental corrections in land stewardship, development patterns, and building practices. Design professionals must make sense of an overwhelming array of information. In this article a literature review summarizes design relevant information including the role of wildfire in... Read more »
What design strategies should be used for expanding the boundary of healthcare facilities beyond the conventional norm? How could design practice create a facility that is more than a community wellness center? This paper focuses on the expansion and decentralization of healthcare within a community context. For academics and practitioners, the changing landscape of the... Read more »
This investigation was conducted for a conceptual design competition, specifically focusing on the design of a therapeutic community for space travel. The competition encouraged innovation by asking participants to solve challenges anticipated in the future delivery of healthcare without the usual restrictions tied to budget, schedule, and codes. This research focused on Translational Medicine, or... Read more »
This article investigates the design strategies for enhancing the well-being, comfort, and safety of the patient along with providing spaces for the care givers that streamlines workflow, adapt to technology and care within the premises of radiation oncology treatment. The vault is the core of the radiation oncology treatment process. This study analyzed how the... Read more »