"Designing for Health" is a monthly, web-exclusive series from healthcare interior design leaders at Perkins+Will that focuses on the issues, trends, challenges, and research involved in crafting today's healing environments. This month's topic:

The Benefits of Healthcare Learning Environments


By Jessica R. Stebbins

As medical institutions continue to grow, reorganize, and restructure their facilities and services to accommodate the needs of their patients and surrounding communities, they must find the means to deliver the most advanced healthcare to meet the ever-higher demand for expert treatment and diagnosis.

In order to meet this demand, healthcare institutions are turning to multidisciplinary learning and training environments that focus specifically on improving the quality of patient care, patient safety, and the overall patient experience. These educational initiatives not only broaden professional experience and strengthen expertise for physicians and support staff, but also provide opportunities to discover new and innovative solutions that directly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Simulation centers, virtual environments, conference centers, and specially-equipped primary patient and procedure areas all support the professional development necessitated by new healthcare technology and new health issues. Combined, these learning environments provide opportunities for new procedures to be tested, challenged, evaluated, and ultimately implemented.

Simulation centers can be built into the context of a healthcare facility or be located off-site. Whether on- or off-site, the centers provide a controlled environment in which predefined patient scenarios can be realistically reproduced. Care delivery is practiced on mannequins that respond to numerous stimuli, preparing healthcare providers for a wide range of scenarios and subsequent patient reactions. These scenarios can range from hypothetical volume surges in the emergency department, to triage procedures in response to bio-terrorism threats.



Realizing the extensive benefits of simulation centers, The University of Miami Medical School’s Dr. Michael S. Gordon worked with Perkins+Will to create the Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education. “The space is magnificent," says Gordon. "It reflects our vision & tenacity, and the design team’s talent.” The design team incorporated a simulated emergency room, an emergency skills testing area (EMST), a trauma room for simulation of fire rescue and patient transport, and numerous classrooms for emergency medical skills training.

Robotics and other technologically advanced healthcare equipment can be incorporated into these simulation centers to enhance the training and operative skills of surgeons. Technological advances have increased the precision of surgical procedures, minimizing the need for invasive surgery. With the proper training, surgeons can take full advantage of these developments; incisions can be smaller, recovery time can be shorter, and patient satisfaction can improve.  

The da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System at Phoenixville Hospital in Phoenixville, Penn., allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures like cardiovascular and prostate surgery from a remote, special viewing console station. From the console, the surgeon has control of robotic arms that then execute delicate surgeries. The precision of this technology allows the surgeon to make three small incisions, rather than the traditional larger (and more invasive) single incision. After the incisions are made, three stainless steel probes are inserted; one probe is fitted with a camera that acts as the surgeons eyes, while the other two probes are fitted with surgical instruments. The probes are precisely manipulated by the robotic arms which are in turn controlled by the surgeon at the console station.
 
Virtual procedures, like the ones mentioned above, are becoming more common as technology continues to develop. This transition will require virtual simulation training centers where medical professionals can practice and master these advanced procedures. Integrated training spaces will facilitate and expedite the implementation of cutting-edge technology, ensuring that a facility is consistently delivering the best possible medical care.

The educational impact of these simulation rooms extends beyond the hospital’s medical staff to the auxiliary personnel that interfaces with medical teams. Benefits of simulation exercises include dramatic improvements to operational efficiencies and team performance.

A healthcare facility’s medical reputation and recruitment also stand to benefit from learning spaces that provide advanced training and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. Leading physicians and top academic performers are interested in being associated with an organization that is dedicated to the advancement of medical knowledge and best practices.

All of these advantages come at a high price, however. Simulation centers can be expensive to build and operate whether incorporated into an existing medical facility or on a new site off-campus. Private donations, subsidies, and grants may initially be required to cover the significant cost of upstart and upkeep.

Hospitals are not only looking to facilitate education of their own staff, but also to play a role in the health education of their patients and surrounding communities. Multifunctional conference centers are being incorporated into the planning of medical facilities to provide space for family focus groups, cancer and diabetes support groups, kids’ camps, and health and nutrition expos. Patients and community members can take advantage of this resource as a forum for shared knowledge, insight, and experience. By increasing community awareness of health and wellness, healthcare facilities can promote preventative and sustainable care.
 
The growing popularity of educational initiatives is changing the standard of hospital programming. Hospitals are no longer only places of treatment and diagnostics but are now centers for training, research, and the exploration of new ideas and innovative healthcare solutions that benefit patient outcome.

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Jessica R. Stebbins, IIDA, LEED AP, works in the Perkins+Will Boston healthcare discipline.  She has 12 years of design experience in a wide range of interior architectural projects. Jessica is a Certified Interior Designer and a LEED 2.2 Accredited Professional. She can be reached at jessica.stebbins@perkinswill.com

Sources:
Facility Review From Sg2; Designing Tomorrow’s Hospitals, Simulation Centers, December 2007
Phoenixville Hospital-Robotic Surgery-Choose da Vinci Robotic Surgery at Phoenixville Hospital, January, 2009
Miami Children’s Hospital for Medical Professionals, Pediatric Human patient Simulation Program January 2009



Past installments of "Designing for Health" are available here:

"Shifting Culture, Shifting Service Lines: Is Tiger Woods the New "Grandmother"?"
"Research Informing Design"
"Peace and Quiet"
"A Prescription to go Paperless"
"Healthcare Facilities Want You to Take Notice"
"A Seat at the Table"
"Making Hospitals More Hospitable for Children and Their Families"