Health Facilities Design and Testing Center of Economic Excellence

Inception:
2007

University collaborators:

Clemson University (fiscal agent)

Medical University of South Carolina (collaborative partner)

About the CoEE:

This CoEE is using interdisciplinary design to improve healthcare environments through better architecture and building design. Research at this CoEE focuses on (1) how the design of healthcare facilities affects the delivery of healthcare and (2) how to create architectural settings that better serve the health and well-being of patients and staff. Researchers at this CoEE study the relationship between the physical healthcare environment and clinical outcomes; patient, family, and staff satisfaction; operational efficiency; and the ability to accommodate change.

This CoEE has been awarded a U.S. Department of Defense subcontract entitled “Patient Room of the Future.” The first two contract phases provided more than $790,000 in funding. Project partners include Spartanburg Regional Hospital System, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and IoA Healthcare Furniture. The physical prototype room was completed in July 2008, and analysis has begun on the impact of nature views on health, headwall design performance, and lighting design concepts. The project was highlighted at the 2009 International Conference on the Design, Planning and Construction of Healthcare Facilities. The CoEE’s two principal investigators are recipients of “Twenty Who Are Making a Difference” by Healthcare Design magazine.

Funding level:
$5 million

CoEE Endowed Chair:

Figure A

Figure B

For the Patient Room Prototype Project, faculty and students spent nights in actual hospital rooms simulating patient life.

One observation was the cluttered footwall [Figure A]. The wall was unsightly with exposed medical equipment; also, observers found the television screen and the clock too small to see. Other uncomfortable room features included harsh lighting, poor window visibility, and uncomfortable guest seating. With a new room design [Figure B], critical
medical equipment is out of sight but still accessible. Lighting and temperature are more easily controlled by the patient, and the footwall uses flatscreen technology to display virtual windows, television entertainment, medical charts, and video conferencing.