“Reflections” is a new column featuring thoughts and commentary by former HEALTHCARE DESIGN Editor-in-Chief Richard L. Peck. Ah, the comment every parent wants to see on a preschooler's report card. And now, wouldn't you know, it's a comment healthcare designers are...
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The in-person experience
This month's Showcase feature (found on page 44) presented a rare opportunity for me. In mid-December 2009, Online Editor Chris Gaerig and I ventured out to nearby Concord Township, Ohio, to tour this issue's spotlight facility, TriPoint Medical Center, in person....
The Center for Health Design-Improving healthcare through building design
I've always loved new beginnings and all the optimism that comes with them. A new school year meant fresh clean notebooks, new school clothing, and new friends. New jobs offered new opportunities, new surroundings, and new challenges. And new relationships offered the...
Do you take disaster planning into account in your designs?
A recent poll on HEALTHCARE DESIGN asked: How significantly is disaster planning taken into account in your designs to be prepared for events like the tragedy in Haiti? 60.00% - We always take disaster planning into account when designing a facility 40.00% - We only...
Pebble Partner St. Elizabeth Hospital emergency room renovation
Pebble Partner Affinity Health System's St. Elizabeth Hospital, located in Appleton, Wisconsin, applies Lean principles to identify and eliminate waste, evidence-based design (EBD) practices to enhance the patient experience, and sustainable criteria to design and...
Where does your facility fall on the greening spectrum?
This year, for the first time, Practice Greenhealth has compiled data from its 2009 Partner for Change (PFC) Award applications, in an effort to break “greening” down into specific activities and help identify the structure that supports ongoing environmental...
Trends in Patient Unit Design
In my last blog, I spoke with HGA colleague Gary Nyberg, RA, about the changes he has seen in patient room design over the past 25 years. Many of the same developments impacting the patient rooms—evolving technology, greater emphasis on the patient experience,...
Focusing on HIPPA compliance in design
Last week's poll question on HEALTHCARE DESIGN asked: A recent blog post addressed HIPPA compliance and design considerations. When designing interiors, how much focus is directed toward HIPPA compliance? 33.33% - It is the first thing we take into consideration...
ASID: A perspective
Before the New Year, I unfortunately had to make a trip to the hospital to visit a friend who suddenly became ill. When I arrived at the hospital via cab, I found myself wondering where I should enter—which door do I enter? I walked into the spacious lobby and found...
All work is a learning process
We all know we need to learn from the past so we don’t repeat it, but what if sometimes we do? As construction professionals, it is important for us to learn from one project to the next and repeat the good while correcting the mistakes. A good “lessons learned” process is one that seeks out all aspects of lessons whether they are directly related to services delivered or to interactions with clients.
Have certifications become less of a concern because of the economy?
A recent poll questions asked the HEALTHCARE DESIGN readers: Because of the economy and the cost/time associated with certification, has staff certification like LEED AP and EDAC become less important? 22.22% - Yes, certification has taken a back seat 46.67% - No,...
HCD.09: How are the international markets faring with the economic downturn?
HEALTHCARE DESIGN Online Editor Chris Gaerig interviewed various members of the healthcare design community at HCD.09 to get their perspective on issues affecting the industry. In this video, interviewees address the question, How have the international markets been...











