When approaching patient room design, it's natural to think of the needs of the patient first. There is also a need to focus on what nurses, doctors and other hospital staff require, but special attention must also be paid to patient families.

Family members of patients can spend almost as much time in the hospital as the patients themselves. Their level of comfort, as well as how they interact with the hospital environment, can affect overall patient satisfaction. If a patient's family is unsatisfied, there's a good chance that this will reflect on patient HCAHPS scores. That's why it's essential to create an environment that caters to patient families as well as the patients themselves.

Keeping Visitors Comfortable

Research has shown that personal connections are important to patients who are hospitalized for longer periods of time. Making patient rooms a comfortable place for visitors to stay is important to both patient health and satisfaction. Whether a visitor is staying for a hour or days at a time, the room should accommodate their short and long-term needs.

The industry has seen upgrades in visitor comfort in hospitals across the country. Side chairs are no longer the standard furniture for visitors. Upgrades to more comfortable seating, including pull-out sofa beds, murphy beds and other seating options that double as a place to sleep are now the standard. There is also a shift to include adequate storage for items during extended stays, extra tables, televisions to help pass the time, and plenty of available outlets for charging electronic devices.

Preventing the Spread Infections

Hospital acquired infections are serious concern for patients and providers, and while private patient rooms cut back on the spread of infections, family and friends can often carry them in and out of rooms while visiting. Simple design tweaks to a room can help prevent this. Placing sinks at the entrance to a room act as a reminder for visitors to wash their hands upon entering and exiting rooms. Hand sanitizer dispensers can also be placed at the entrance to rooms to further combat the spread of germs.

The choice of furniture and other devices also plays a crucial role in design. Surfaces like glass are less porous and can significantly cut back on bacterial growth, which visitors can leave traces of long after they have left. Seamless surfaces are also desirable because they are easier to clean and prevent bacteria from growing in the small areas created by seams. Most importantly, surfaces should be made from materials that can withstand repeated cleanings using hospital-grade cleaners.

Fostering Communication Between Families and Care Providers

Family members are often deeply involved in the care of their loved ones. They help make decisions regarding treatment, they offer support when needed and they bring intimate knowledge about the patient's history and current circumstances. Because of this, it's imperative to give care teams the tools they need within patient rooms to effectively communicate with family members.

The whiteboards placed in a patient room can be one of the most helpful tools for patients and their families. Patient whiteboards are effective communication aids, and placing them where they can easily be seen offers additional benefits. Family members are not always present when information is conveyed to patients, but communication boards help ensure that treatment information remains available for a patient's loved ones to refer to when they need it.

To learn more about how patient whiteboards can help keep patients and their visitors engaged in their care, contact our team at VividBoard today.