HCD Guest Author

Continuing our discussion of clinic design, we look at the entry sequence as an important first impression. A well-designed public entry projects a commitment to quality care and inspires patients’ confidence.

From small storefront clinics to large healthcare campuses with multiple access points, the entry sequence draws patients and other visitors intuitively to the “front door.” 

To make the entry sequence as straightforward and stress-free as possible, designers might consider these key features: 

Many colleges across the nation offer semester-long lecture series, inviting notable names to be guest lecturers and talk about relevant topics in their fields. It’s a chance to glean knowledge and for students, undergraduate and graduate, to network and maybe gain inspiration.

Trying to define the role of the patient in healthcare should seem like a pretty easy thing to do, shouldn't it? But it appears the more you try and assign the patient’s function, the more complex it becomes. Are they consumers? Is it to their benefit to be labeled as such? Well, they’re not clients as those seen by lawyers, architects, or contractors—fields that need shared decision-making. But there should be shared decision-making for patients.

It is no secret simulation is being used in many industries, including healthcare, to more effectively educate, train, and understand complex job situations. Simulation is popular because it is able to replicate complex scenarios that are either physically or financially impossible to duplicate.

Special effects in movies are a good example. Special effects are a type of simulation, which allows cinematic creativity and communication—imaginary cities, otherworldly creatures, gravity-defying movement—that would be difficult to execute otherwise.

After spending some time in the new women’s and children’s addition at our local hospital to care for my 6-year-old’s broken arm this past summer, I related to a friend how my daughter’s favorite part was the building’s glass elevator. In fact, the elevator provided a good deal of entertainment during our initial overnight stay, following a minor operation, and subsequent after-care appointments.

The New Year has begun bringing with it weight loss resolutions, promises to spend more time with family or a determination to be more organized, according to various surveys. As healthcare reform continues to develop, there is hope for a more positive year in the design industry. Whether that will be the reality remains to be seen.

But before we get that ball rolling let's take a look at some of the articles, blogs, topics that were of particular interest to our HEALTHCARE DESIGN audience.

As I mentioned in my last blog post of 2011, this year has started off a lot like the previous year did: marked by healthcare reform dramatics, a still-sluggish economy, and general confusion. But surely there are some things to look forward to and to discuss, as well–and at the very least, some hot topics for debate.

As 2011 comes to a close, I have tried in vain to come up with a solid way of summarizing the year in terms of the healthcare design and construction industry. Especially as I look back at what I was saying at this time last year, I see an awful lot of similarities.

     To quote from my December 2010 Editorial from HEALTHCARE DESIGN magazine:

As we close out 2011, I thought I would share some of the numbers from what my colleagues here at HEALTHCARE DESIGN may think of as one of my sources of pride—The HEALTHCARE DESIGN connection, our LinkedIn community.

Anyone who attended the roundtable plenary session "New Directions in the Future of Healthcare Design–The Experts Speak Out" at this year's HEALTHCARE DESIGN.11 conference surely remembers the show-stopping moment when Kim E. Shinn, PE, LEED AP BD+C, CxA, Senior Sustainability Consultant, TLC Engineering, unleashed his impassioned 10+ minute monologue on sustainability.

As explained here in great detail, prominent architect and designer Michael Graves–a former HEALTHCARE DESIGN conference keynote speaker also famous for his product design work for such outle